Proverbs 5:2

That thou mayest regard discretion.

The wise man’s intention in giving advice

Some knit these words to what follows, and understand them thus: “I wish thee to hearken to wise counsels, that thy heart may not admit thoughts of the beauty of strumpets, nor thy lips talk of such wanton objects as they talk of, but that thy thoughts and words may be sober and honest.” Others knit them to the words before, as if he had said, “Observe my wise precepts, that thou mayest well ruminate of them, and be so full of good thoughts in thy heart, that thou mayest be able to produce them copiously in thy words for the good of others, as I do for thine. But especially that thou mayest know what to think and speak of strumpets’ fair words and alluring carriage.”

I. A readiness to attend will bring a store of knowledge.

II. Let us get ready ears and hearts to get knowledge.

III. Good things heard must be seriously thought on, then and after.

IV. We must labour to know so as not only to understand, but also to utter what we know in fit words. That we may profit others. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)