Read & explore together
Warnings against Adultery
This wisdom passage urges a son to hold tightly to parental instruction because it guides, protects and warns. It especially focuses on adultery, showing both its appeal and the serious damage that follows.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In these verses, the speaker addresses “my son” and presents a father’s commandment and a mother’s teaching as guidance for ordinary life. The passage then applies that wisdom to a warning about the immoral woman, inward desire, adultery and the lasting harm that comes from it.
Proverbs 6:20–35Main takeaway
This passage teaches that treasured instruction helps guard a person from adultery and from its destructive consequences.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Keep instruction closeThe passage begins with a call to keep a father’s commandment and not forsake a mother’s teaching.
Explanation
The passage begins with a call to keep a father’s commandment and not forsake a mother’s teaching. These words are to be bound on the heart and tied around the neck, showing that this instruction should remain close, remembered and valued rather than neglected.
02Instruction guides through lifeThis teaching is described as active and helpful at every time. When walking, it leads. When sleeping, it watches over.
Explanation
This teaching is described as active and helpful at every time. When walking, it leads. When sleeping, it watches over. When waking, it talks. The reason given is that the commandment is a lamp, the law is light, and corrective reproofs are the way of life.
03The warning targets desire and dangerThe passage says this instruction keeps a person from the immoral woman and from flattering speech.
Explanation
The passage says this instruction keeps a person from the immoral woman and from flattering speech. It warns against lust in the heart and being captivated by beauty. It also states that “a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread” and “the adulteress hunts for your precious life”.
04Adultery is not harmlessTwo vivid comparisons make the point plain. A man cannot scoop fire into his lap without burned clothes, and he cannot walk on hot coals without scorched feet.
Explanation
Two vivid comparisons make the point plain. A man cannot scoop fire into his lap without burned clothes, and he cannot walk on hot coals without scorched feet. In the same way, the one who goes in to his neighbour’s wife will not avoid punishment.
05It brings loss, shame and furyThe final verses compare theft and adultery. A thief may be required to repay greatly, but adultery is described as destroying oneself.
Explanation
The final verses compare theft and adultery. A thief may be required to repay greatly, but adultery is described as destroying oneself. It brings wounds, dishonour and lasting reproach. The husband’s jealousy stirs fury, and gifts or ransom will not satisfy him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the passage describe what instruction does throughout the day?
Notice the verbs linked to walking, sleeping and waking, and then the pictures of a lamp, light and reproof.
02What does the passage warn against before any outward act takes place?
Look for the words about the heart, lust and being captivated, as well as the warning against flattering speech.
03What exactly does Proverbs 6:26 say about a prostitute and an adulteress, and how does that fit the rest of the warning?
State the two phrases in the verse itself, then connect them with the later pictures of burning, punishment and destruction.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 6:20–35
20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
21Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you.
23For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
25Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
26For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life.
27Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned?
28Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?
29So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
30Men don’t despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry,
31but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house.
32He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul.
33He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away.
34For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.
35He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.