Proverbs 5:15-6:4 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
15 |
Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. |
16 |
Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets? |
17 |
Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you. |
18 |
Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. |
19 |
As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love. |
20 |
For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? |
21 |
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths. |
22 |
His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. |
23 |
He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. |
1 |
My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, |
2 |
You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. |
3 |
So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend. |
4 |
Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids. |