Proverbs 9:17
New International Version
“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”

New Living Translation
“Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”

English Standard Version
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”

King James Bible
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

New King James Version
“Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

New American Standard Bible
“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

NASB 1995
“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

NASB 1977
“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Amplified Bible
“Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”

American Standard Version
Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Contemporary English Version
"Stolen water tastes best, and the food you eat in secret tastes best of all."

English Revised Version
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is tasty."

Good News Translation
"Stolen water is sweeter. Stolen bread tastes better."

International Standard Version
"Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is delicious."

Majority Standard Bible
?Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!?

NET Bible
"Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!"

New Heart English Bible
"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

Webster's Bible Translation
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

World English Bible
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Stolen waters are sweet, "" And hidden bread is pleasant.”

Young's Literal Translation
'Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Stolen waters will be sweet, and the bread of secrets shall be pleasant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”

New American Bible
Stolen water is sweet, and bread taken secretly is pleasing!”

New Revised Standard Version
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Stolen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Stolen waters are sweet, and secret bread is pleasant,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Way of Folly
16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. 17“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” 18But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.…

Cross References
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Romans 7:15-23
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Psalm 10:9-10
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. / They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.

Psalm 36:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. / For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin. / The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. ...

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Jeremiah 23:14
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

Hosea 7:6-7
For they prepare their heart like an oven while they lie in wait; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. / All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings fall; not one of them calls upon Me.

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.


Treasury of Scripture

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

stolen

Proverbs 20:17
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Proverbs 23:31,32
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright…

Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

eaten in secret

Proverbs 7:18-20
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves…

Proverbs 30:20
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

2 Kings 5:24-27
And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed…

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Bread Delicious Drink Eaten Food Hidden Pleasant Pleasing Right Secrecy Secret Stolen Sweet Water Waters
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Proverbs 9
1. The discipline
4. and the doctrine of wisdom
13. The custom
16. and error of folly














Stolen water is sweet
This phrase captures the allure of forbidden actions and the deceptive nature of sin. In biblical times, water was a precious resource, especially in arid regions like Israel. The idea of "stolen water" suggests something taken illicitly, which can seem more desirable because it is forbidden. This reflects the human tendency to covet what is not rightfully ours, echoing the temptation in Genesis 3:6, where Eve saw the forbidden fruit as desirable. The sweetness of stolen water is a metaphor for the initial pleasure of sin, which ultimately leads to negative consequences, as seen in Proverbs 20:17, where bread gained by deceit is sweet but turns to gravel.

and bread eaten in secret is tasty!
The act of eating bread in secret implies engaging in actions that one knows are wrong, yet finds pleasurable. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, sharing meals was a communal activity, and eating in secret suggests a breach of trust and community norms. This secrecy highlights the shame and guilt associated with sin, as seen in John 3:19-20, where people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. The temporary satisfaction of secret sin is contrasted with the lasting fulfillment found in righteousness, as Jesus offers Himself as the Bread of Life in John 6:35, providing true and eternal sustenance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Proverbs is a collection of his wise sayings and teachings.

2. Lady Folly
In Proverbs 9, Lady Folly is personified as a seductive figure who entices individuals away from wisdom and righteousness. She represents foolishness and sin.

3. The Simple
This term refers to those who are naive or lack discernment. They are easily swayed by temptation and deception.

4. The House of Folly
Symbolically, this is the place where foolishness and sin reside. It contrasts with the house of wisdom, which offers life and understanding.

5. The Path of Sin
This is the metaphorical journey one takes when succumbing to temptation and folly, leading away from God's wisdom and righteousness.
Teaching Points
The Deceptive Allure of Sin
Sin often appears attractive and desirable, much like "stolen water" and "bread eaten in secret." However, its sweetness is temporary and leads to destruction.

The Importance of Discernment
Believers must cultivate discernment to recognize and resist the seductive call of folly. This requires a deep understanding of God's Word and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

The Consequences of Folly
Engaging in sin may seem pleasurable at the moment, but it ultimately leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

The Call to Wisdom
Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom, which leads to life and understanding. This involves making choices that align with God's will and righteousness.

Accountability and Community
Engaging in secretive sin often isolates individuals. Christians are called to live in community, holding each other accountable and encouraging one another in righteousness.(17) Stolen waters are sweet.--See above, on Proverbs 5:15.

Bread eaten in secret.--The same figure is used in Proverbs 30:20.

Verse 17. - This is what she says: Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. The metaphor of "stolen waters" refers primarily to adulterous intercourse, as to "drink waters out of one's own cistern" (Proverbs 5:15, where see note) signifies the chaste connection of lawful wedlock. Wisdom offered flesh and wine to her guests; Folly offers bread and water. Wisdom invites openly to a well furnished table; Folly calls to a secret meal of barest victuals. What the former offers is rich and satisfying and comforting; what Vice gives is poor and mean and insipid. Yet this latter has the charm of being forbidden; it is attractive because it is unlawful. This is a trait of corrupt human nature, which is recognized universally. Thus Ovid, 'Amor.,' 3:4, 17 -

"Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata;
Sic interdictis imminet aeger aquis.'
Things easily attained, the possession of which is gotten without effort or danger or breach of restraint, soon pall and cease to charm. To some minds the astuteness and secrecy required for success have an irresistible attraction. Thus St. Augustine relates ('Conf.,' 2:4) how he and some companions committed a theft, not from want and poverty, nor even from the wish to enjoy what was stolen, but simply for the pleasure of thieving and the sin. They robbed a pear tree by night, carried off great loads, which they flung to the pigs, and their only satisfaction was that they were doing what they ought not ("dum tamen fieret a nobis, quod eo liberet quo non liceret"). Septuagint, "Taste ye to your pleasure secret bread, and sweet water of theft." Where water is a precious commodity, as in many pets of Palestine, doubtless thefts were often committed, and persons made free with their neighbor's tank when they could do so undetected, thus sparing their own resources and felicitating themselves on their cleverness. On the metaphorical use of "waters" in Holy Scripture, St. Gregory says, "Waters are sometimes wont to denote the Holy Spirit, sometimes sacred knowledge, sometimes calamity, sometimes drifting peoples, sometimes the minds of those following the faith." He refers to these texts respectively: John 7:38, etc.; Ecclus. 15:3; Psalm 69:1; Revelation 17:15 ("the waters are peoples"); Isaiah 22:20; and he adds, "By water likewise bad knowledge is wont to be designated, as when the woman in Solomon, who bears the type of heresy, charms with crafty persuasion, saying, 'Stolen waters are sweet'" ('Moral.,' 19:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Stolen
גְּנוּבִ֥ים (gə·nū·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

water
מַֽיִם־ (ma·yim-)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

is sweet,
יִמְתָּ֑קוּ (yim·tā·qū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4985: To become or be sweet or pleasant

and bread
וְלֶ֖חֶם (wə·le·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

[eaten] in secret
סְתָרִ֣ים (sə·ṯā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy

is tasty!”
יִנְעָֽם׃ (yin·‘ām)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5276: To be pleasant, delightful, or lovely


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:17 Stolen water is sweet (Prov. Pro Pr)
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