Proverbs 9:17 nasb — "Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

NASB

""Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.""

— Proverbs 9:17, NASB

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Proverbs 9:17 in Other Translations

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WEB
“"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB

Proverbs 9 — Context

She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,

Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight:

"Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she says,

"Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 9:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Proverbs 9:17 say?

Proverbs 9:17 in the NASB reads: “"Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."”

Where is Proverbs 9:17 in the Bible?

Proverbs 9:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 9, verse 17.

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 9:17.

What translation should I read Proverbs 9:17 in?

Proverbs 9:17 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 9:17?

Proverbs 9:17 reads (NASB): “"Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."” 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.

Proverbs 9:17 nasb — "Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

Read in Another Translation

Proverbs 9:17 in Other Translations

Proverbs 9 — Context

Proverbs 9:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

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