Proverbs 5:4–7
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
But her end is bitter as wormewood, sharpe as a two edged sword.
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
*Her feete goe downe to death: her steps take hold on hell.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceChap.7.27.
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her wayes are moueable, that thou canst not know them.
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Heare me now therefore, O yee children: & depart not from the words of my mouth.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
17 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 4
- Ecclesiastes 7:26Rank 1 from verse 4
26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
26*†And I finde more bitter then death, the woman whose heart is snares & nets, and her handes as bands: who so pleaseth God, shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.
- Psalms 55:21Rank 2 from verse 4
- Psalms 57:4Rank 3 from verse 4
4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
4My soule is among lyons, and I lie euen among them that are set on fire: euen the sonnes of men, whose teeth are speares and arrowes, and their tongue a sharpe sword.
- Hebrews 4:12Rank 4 from verse 4
12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
12For the word of God is quicke and powerfull, and sharper then any two edged sword, pearcing euen to the diuiding asunder of soule and spirit, and of the ioynts and marrowe, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- Proverbs 9:18Rank 5 from verse 4
- Hebrews 12:15–16Rank 6 from verse 4
15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
15Looking diligently, lest any man ‖faile of the grace of God, lest any roote of bitternesse springing vp, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled:
16Lest there bee any fornicatour, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsell of meat sold his birthright.
- Judges 16:15–21Rank 7 from verse 4
15¶ And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.
16And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;
17That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a rasor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
18And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
19And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
20And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.
21¶ But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.
15¶ And shee said vnto him, How canst thou say, I loue thee, when thine heart is not with mee? Thou hast mocked mee these three times, and hast not told me wherin thy great strength lieth.
16And it came to passe, when she pressed him daily with her wordes, and vrged him so that his soule was †vexed vnto death,
17That he told her all his heart, and said vnto her, There hath not come a rasor vpon mine head: for I haue bene a Nazarite vnto God from my mothers wombe: If I bee shauen, then my strength will goe from me, and I shall become weake, and bee like any other man.
18And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the LORDs of the Philistines, saying, Come vp this once, for hee hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came vp vnto her, & brought money in their hand.
19And she made him sleepe vpon her knees, and she called for a man, and she caused him to shaue off the seuen lockes of his head, and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
20And she said, The Philistines be vpon thee, Samson. And hee awoke out of his sleepe, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake my selfe. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
21¶ But the Philistines tooke him and †put out his eyes, and brought him downe to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brasse, and he did grind in the prison house.
- Judges 16:4–6Rank 8 from verse 4
4¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
6¶ And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
4¶ And it came to passe afterward, that he loued a woman in the valley ‖of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
5And the lords of the Philistines came vp vnto her, and said vnto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what meanes we may preuaile against him, that we may bind him, to ‖afflict him: and we will giue thee euery one of vs, eleuen hundreth pieces of siluer.
6¶ And Delilah said to Samson, Tel me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lyeth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound, to afflict thee.
- Proverbs 23:27–28Rank 9 from verse 4
27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
27*For an whore is a deepe ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28*‖She also lyeth in wait as for a pray, and increaseth the transgressours among men.
- Proverbs 6:24–35Rank 10 from verse 4
24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
24*‖To keepe thee from the euill woman, from the flatterie of the tongue of a strange woman.
25*Lust not after her beautie in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26†For by meanes of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteresse will hunt for the precious life.
27Can a man take fire in his bosome, and his clothes not be burnt?
28Can one goe vpon hote coales, and his feete not be burnt?
29So he that goeth in to his neighbours wife; whosoeuer toucheth her, shall not be innocent.
30 Men doe not despise a thiefe, if he steale to satisfie his soule, when hee is hungry:
31But if he be found, he shall restore seuenfold, he shall giue all the substance of his house.
32† But who so committeth adultery with a woman, lacketh vnderstanding: hee that doeth it, destroyeth his owne soule.
33A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproch shall not be wiped away.
34For iealousie is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35†He will not regard any ransome; neither will hee rest content, though thou giuest many giftes.
- Proverbs 7:22–23Rank 11 from verse 4
22He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
22†He goeth after her straightway, as an oxe goeth to the slaughter, or as a foole to the correction of the stocks,
23Til a dart strike through his liuer, as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
From verse 5
- Proverbs 7:27Rank 1 from verse 5
- Proverbs 2:18–19Rank 2 from verse 5
18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
18For her house inclineth vnto death, and her pathes vnto the dead:
19None that goe vnto her, returne againe, neither take they hold of the pathes of life.
From verse 6
- Proverbs 4:26Rank 1 from verse 6
- Proverbs 5:21Rank 2 from verse 6
- Psalms 16:11Rank 3 from verse 6
- Proverbs 30:20Rank 4 from verse 6
- Proverbs 6:12–13Rank 5 from verse 6
12¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
12¶ A naughtie person, a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth.
13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feete, hee teacheth with his fingers.
- Psalms 119:59Rank 6 from verse 6
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10Rank 7 from verse 6
9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
9 Euen him whose comming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signes, and lying wonders,
10And with all deceiueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse, in them that perish: because they receiued not the loue of the trueth, that they might be saued.
- Proverbs 11:19Rank 8 from verse 6
- Proverbs 7:10–21Rank 9 from verse 6
10And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
10And behold, there met him a woman, with the attire of an harlot, and subtill of heart.
11*(She is loud and stubburne, her feet abide not in her house:
12Now is shee without, now in the streetes, and lieth in waite at euery corner.)
13†So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face, said vnto him,
14† I haue peace offerings with me: this day haue I paid my vowes.
15Therefore came I forth to meete thee, diligently to seeke thy face, and I haue found thee.
16I haue deckt my bed with couerings of tapestrie, with carued workes, with fine linnen of Egypt.
17I haue perfumed my bed with myrrhe, aloes, and cynamom.
18Come, let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning, let vs solace our selues with loues.
19For the good-man is not at home, he is gone a long iourney.
20†‖He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21With much faire speech she caused him to yeeld, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
From verse 7
- Proverbs 4:1Rank 1 from verse 7
- Proverbs 22:17–21Rank 2 from verse 7
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
17Bow downe thine eare, and heare the words of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
18†For it is a pleasant thing, if thou keepe them within thee; they shall withall be fitted in thy lippes.
19‖That thy trust may bee in the LORD, I haue made knowen to thee this day, euen to thee.
20Haue not I written to thee excellent things in counsailes and knowledge:
21‖That I might make thee knowe the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answere the words of trueth to them that send vnto thee?
- Proverbs 7:24Rank 3 from verse 7
- Hebrews 12:25Rank 4 from verse 7
25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
25See that yee refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape if wee turne away from him that speaketh from heauen.
- Proverbs 3:21Rank 5 from verse 7
- Proverbs 4:21Rank 6 from verse 7
- Proverbs 8:32–36Rank 7 from verse 7
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
32*Nowe therefore hearken vnto me, O yee children: for blessed are they that keepe my wayes.
33Heare instruction, and bee wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me: watching daily at my gates, waiting at the postes of my doores.
35†For whoso findeth mee, findeth life, and shall obtaine fauour of the LORD.
36But hee that sinneth against me, wrongeth his owne soule; all they that hate me, loue death.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 5:4
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste opposed to sweet; grievous, harsh, painful, sorrowful, resentful, or severe in condition, feeling, speech, or effect.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A bitter substance or plant. 2. Figuratively, bitterness, poison, corrupt judgment, or calamity.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Having a keen edge or point; cutting, piercing, severe, intense, or forceful.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Having two edges, or edges on both sides.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 5:5
From a higher place or position to a lower one; below.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Movements or paces of the feet; footsteps, courses, degrees, or stages in going.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
Sense 1: To grasp, seize, cling to, carry, wield, support, or keep fast, literally or figuratively. Sense 2: To keep, retain, possess, maintain, continue in, or adhere to. Sense 3: To restrain, confine, or keep back; to contain or have capacity. Sense 4: To regard, account, or judge. Sense 5: To conduct or celebrate an observance. Sense 6: To endure, prevail, or take effect. Sense 7: In hold one's peace or hold one's tongue, to remain silent. Sense 8: As a noun, a grasp or attachment; a place of confinement, refuge, security, or fortification.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A place beneath, associated with the dead, destruction, and confinement. Sense 2: The place of punishment and torment, described as hell fire and fire that never shall be quenched. Sense 3: By figure, the depths, pains, or destructive power of death and overwhelming affliction.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 5:6
For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To weigh or consider carefully.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
A track, route, course, or way of travel or conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The state of living; the period or manner of one's existence.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 5:7
Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. To leave, go away, or move from a place or person. 2. To cease to remain, be removed, disappear, or pass away. 3. To turn or separate from a way, practice, allegiance, or relationship. 4. To leave earthly life or this world.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
3¶ For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
3¶ *†For the lips of a strange woman drop as an hony combe, and her mouth is smoother then oyle.
4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
4But her end is bitter as wormewood, sharpe as a two edged sword.
Selected passage5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
5*Her feete goe downe to death: her steps take hold on hell.
Selected passage6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her wayes are moueable, that thou canst not know them.
Selected passage7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
7Heare me now therefore, O yee children: & depart not from the words of my mouth.
Selected passage8Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
8Remoue thy way farre from her, and come not nie the doore of her house: