Proverbs 5:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.

NIV: that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

NASB: So that you may maintain discretion And your lips may comply with knowledge.

CSB: so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge.

NLT: Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

KJV: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

NKJV: That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge.

Solomon affirms that his son will derive discretion and knowledgeable speech if he pays attention to his counsel. The purpose of Solomon's wise teaching is not simply to infuse facts into his son's head, but to give him the tools to wisely do what is right and avoid what is wrong. Wisdom, in fact, is a term Proverbs uses for an ability to act according to godly principles.

Also, Solomon wants his son to know how to speak wisely. If we obey the teaching of Scripture, we will not walk in the way of sinners (Psalm 1:1–2). In this context, "sinners" are those who are influenced by evil and walk according to the course of this evil world system (Ephesians 2:2). Furthermore, those who are wise will not use evil words such as profanity, gossip, foolishness, and lying (Ephesians 5:4). Instead, we will speak words that edify (Ephesians 4:29; 5:19) and words that ascribe thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20). Colossians 4:6 admonishes, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." If we feed on evil thoughts, we will do what is evil, but if we feed on the wisdom of Scripture, we will do what is pleasing to the Lord.

Proverbs 5:1–6 pleads with the son to heed his father Solomon's wise counsel in order to be discreet and to speak knowledgeably. He depicts the seductress—a person seeking to come between a married couple—as speaking sweetly but her words are full of deadly poison. She is headed for ruin, and she does not realize it. Of note is that Solomon does not describe the seducer physically, since temptation isn't limited to physical attraction. As with other warnings in this book, the reader is advised not to put themselves at risk of sharing in that same destruction.

Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.

This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.