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.