Proverbs 5:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

NIV: For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

NASB: He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray.

CSB: He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity.

NLT: He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

KJV: He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

NKJV: He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

According to this verse the undisciplined person—the one who turns away from good teaching (Proverbs 5:11–13)—is subject to death as a natural result. Unrestrained sinning weakens the body and inflicts damage on the person who indulges in a wicked lifestyle. This suffering is physical, mental, and spiritual.

Certainly, anyone who participates in sexual sin invites horrific diseases. Discipline keeps a person's body strong and healthy, but fools lack discipline and therefore greatly increase their risk of suffering an early death. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

Solomon also points out here that a lack of discipline—here meaning a choice to ignore correction and teaching—leads him astray. The words, "led astray," in this verse are from the same Hebrew word for "captivated." Foolishness captivates some people, leading them to do whatever their sinful desires dictate. The adulterer foolishly thinks an extramarital affair will be pleasant, but he soon discovers that it brings trouble. By pursuing sin, the foolish person wanders away from God and may never find his way back.

Proverbs 5:15–23 follows sections warning about the temptations and consequences of adultery. In this closing section of Proverbs 5, Solomon advises each of his sons to stay faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship and to enjoy the blessings of marriage. He points out that the Lord knows all about each person's conduct.

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.