Proverbs 5:20 kjva — And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

King James Version with Apocrypha

"And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?"

— Proverbs 5:20, King James Version with Apocrypha

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 5:20 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 5 — Context

17

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.

18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

19

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

21

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

22

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

23

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

Proverbs 5:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 5:20 say?
Proverbs 5:20 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”
Where is Proverbs 5:20 in the Bible?
Proverbs 5:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 5, verse 20.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 5:20.
What translation should I read Proverbs 5:20 in?
Proverbs 5:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 5:20?
Proverbs 5:20 reads (KJVA): “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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