Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Otherwise, you'll give away your reputation to others, and waste your life serving those who will be harsh to you.
This verse is warning that poor choices can cause you to lose your good name and spend your years under the control of cruel people.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs 5 is part of the Old Testament's Wisdom literature, attributed to King Solomon, who wrote to guide people in righteous living amid the temptations of ancient Israelite society. In this chapter, the text warns against the dangers of adultery and immoral relationships, using poetic language to show how such choices lead to the loss of personal honor and precious years of life to harsh consequences. This reflects a culture that highly valued moral integrity and family stability, where straying from God's commands often resulted in social and personal ruin.
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