Proverbs 6:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

NIV: Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.

NASB: He will find wounds and disgrace, And his shame will not be removed.

CSB: He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.

NLT: He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.

KJV: A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

NKJV: Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.

In this verse Solomon cites three tragic consequences of adultery: wounds, dishonor, and lasting disgrace. His own family history proved this out. Solomon's father, David, first came to know his mother, Bathsheba, in an act of adultery. This quickly spiraled downwards into an attempted coverup and bloodshed (2 Samuel 11). The consequences of this haunted David for the rest of his life.

The adulterer experiences a wounded conscience, a wounded heart, a wounded reputation, and a wounded relationship with the Lord. He soils his reputation and loses whatever honor and esteem he held in the eyes of those who know him. He disgraces himself in their eyes and in the eyes of his spouse and children. His sinful act can even cause the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14 KJV). In response to David's adultery, the Lord promised to inflict wounds on David's household and humiliate him publicly (2 Samuel 12:10–11).

It's all too common to see public figures and leaders fall to the temptation of adultery. In the modern world, the risk of exposure is greater than ever. What they hope to keep secret can be uncovered and reported worldwide by the media. Disgraced in the eyes of family, loyal supporters, and the public, some tearfully resign their positions or forfeit influence.

As Solomon points out, adultery comes with a bitter price (Proverbs 6:27–32).

Proverbs 6:20–35 returns to the topic of adultery, something Solomon also discussed in chapter 5. He warns his son to abide by the teaching he received from his parents, because they will guide him and keep him from the adulteress. Further, he cites the harmful and irreversible consequences of adultery.

This chapter provides teaching on two aspects of wealth management. The first is avoiding putting one's property in debt for the sake of some other person's risky investment. The other warns against laziness, indicating that it puts a person at risk for sudden ruin. Solomon then poetically explains attitudes and actions which God finds especially repulsive. Next, Solomon returns to the subject of adultery. He reiterates the inherent risks of sexual immorality, including the catastrophic consequences which it brings. That lesson continues into the following chapter.

This chapter of Proverbs continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his son. In chapter 5 he addresses adultery and marriage. In this chapter he addresses financial matters, work ethics, characteristics and conduct the Lord despises, and sexual immorality. A common theme of these lessons is to avoid the natural consequences of foolish choices. The next chapter describes the adulteress's ways and the pitfalls involved in committing adultery with her.

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.