Proverbs 6:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

NIV: He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

NASB: He will not accept any settlement, Nor will he be satisfied though you make it a large gift.

CSB: He will not be appeased by anything or be persuaded by lavish bribes.

NLT: He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.

KJV: He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

NKJV: He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.

This continues a point made by Solomon in the prior verse (Proverbs 6:34). Adultery is not only a sin (Exodus 20:14), and foolish (Proverbs 6:32), it invites serious consequences (Proverbs 6:27–34). Among these are revenge from a wronged spouse—in most cultures, this usually would come from an enraged husband. Here it's noted that bribes, gifts, or payoffs aren't likely to calm a furious spouse.

History is full of accounts of jealous husbands' unwillingness to forget an offense. Perhaps, Solomon is referring to the legal trial of an adulterer and his fruitless effort to bribe the prosecutor as well as the jealous husband. It is best to avoid such a disgraceful, inextricable situation by refusing to commit adultery. If a husband obeys the counsel Paul gives in Ephesians 5, he will avoid adultery. Paul writes in verse 25, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her." He adds in verses 28 and 33: "Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies…Let each of you love his wife as himself" (Ephesians 5:25–28, 33).

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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 12:41:09 AM