Proverbs 5:7

Proverbs 5:7 is a powerful call to pay attention. In this verse, a father speaks to his children with urgency, telling them to listen carefully and not ignore what he's about to teach them. This verse comes in the middle of an important warning about making wise choices in relationships and avoiding temptation. It reminds us that sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply listen to good advice and take it seriously.

The Verse in Different Translations

Let's look at how different Bible versions translate this important verse:

"Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say."

— Proverbs 5:7 (NIV)

"And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth."

— Proverbs 5:7 (ESV)

"Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth."

— Proverbs 5:7 (KJV)

"So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say."

— Proverbs 5:7 (NLT)

What Does This Verse Mean?

Proverbs 5:7 might seem simple at first, but it contains an important message about wisdom and obedience. Let's break down the key parts:

"Now then, my sons"

The phrase "now then" shows this is a turning point in the conversation. The father has been teaching about wisdom, and now he's about to share something especially important. When someone says "now then," it means "pay extra attention to this next part."

The word "sons" doesn't just mean male children. In Proverbs, this term is used to speak to anyone who is learning—it could be sons, daughters, students, or anyone willing to gain wisdom. It's a loving way of addressing people who need guidance.

"Listen to me"

The command to "listen" means more than just hearing words with your ears. In the Bible, listening means paying attention, taking something seriously, and then doing what you've been told. It's active, not passive. Real listening leads to action.

When a parent or teacher says "listen to me," they're asking for your full attention because what they're about to say is important and will help you avoid problems.

"Do not turn aside from what I say"

This phrase means "don't ignore my words" or "don't dismiss what I'm telling you." The warning is against hearing good advice and then going your own way anyway. It's like when someone warns you not to touch a hot stove, but you do it anyway—you knew better, but you turned aside from the advice.

To "turn aside" suggests a choice. You're on the right path, someone gives you directions to stay safe, but then you decide to go a different direction instead. This verse warns against that kind of choice.

Understanding the Full Context

To really understand Proverbs 5:7, we need to see what comes before and after it. This verse is part of a father's warning about sexual temptation and unfaithfulness. Let's read the surrounding verses:

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house."

— Proverbs 5:1-8 (NIV)

The full passage shows that verse 7 is like a pause button in an urgent warning. The father has just described how temptation can seem attractive but leads to destruction. Now, in verse 7, he stops and says "Are you listening? This is serious. Don't ignore what I'm telling you." Then he continues with more specific warnings about staying away from temptation.

Why the Urgency?

The father doesn't just give advice casually. He speaks with urgency because he knows his children are facing real dangers. What he's about to tell them could save them from years of pain and regret.

This urgency reminds us that good advice from people who care about us isn't meant to control us or ruin our fun. It's meant to protect us from consequences we might not see coming.

Practical Teaching Points

What can we learn from Proverbs 5:7 for our daily lives?

1. Some Advice Is More Important Than Others

We get advice all the time from commercials, friends, social media, and family. Not all of it matters equally. Proverbs 5:7 teaches us to recognize when someone who loves us is sharing wisdom that could change our life. These are the moments to put down your phone, turn off distractions, and really listen.

2. Listening Is a Choice

You can hear something without listening to it. Listening requires deciding that what someone is saying matters enough to pay attention and act on it. Every day, you choose what voices you'll listen to. Will you listen to wisdom or ignore it?

3. Good Advice Often Comes Before the Problem

The father in Proverbs 5 gives warnings before his children face temptation, not after they've already made mistakes. The best time to listen to wisdom is before you need it. Don't wait until you're in trouble to start paying attention to good advice.

4. Wisdom Protects You From Pain

The warnings in Proverbs 5 aren't meant to take away freedom or fun. They're meant to protect people from the pain of broken relationships, ruined reputations, and damaged lives. When someone who cares about you gives you advice, they're trying to save you from suffering they may have experienced or witnessed.

5. Turning Aside Has Consequences

When we ignore good advice, we often pay a price for it later. The verse warns against "turning aside" because once you leave the right path, it can be hard to find your way back. Small acts of ignoring wisdom can lead to big problems down the road.

Common Questions About This Verse

Why does the father repeat himself so much in Proverbs?

The book of Proverbs repeats important themes because repetition helps us remember. Teachers repeat key points because they're important. The father in Proverbs keeps saying "listen to me" because he knows human nature—we often need to hear something multiple times before we truly take it to heart and live it out.

Isn't it old-fashioned to tell people to just obey?

Proverbs 5:7 isn't about blind obedience to anyone who claims authority. It's about recognizing wise counsel from people who genuinely care about us and have our best interests at heart. The advice in Proverbs is proven wisdom that has helped people for thousands of years. Ignoring wisdom isn't modern or independent—it's just unwise.

What if I've already turned aside from good advice?

One of the beautiful things about God's wisdom is that it's never too late to start listening. If you've ignored good advice in the past and you're facing consequences, you can start listening today. God is always ready to guide you back to the right path, no matter how far you've wandered.

How do I know which advice to listen to?

Not everyone who gives advice has your best interests at heart. Here are some ways to recognize wisdom worth listening to: it comes from someone who loves you and wants what's best for you, it lines up with what the Bible teaches, it has been proven true over time, and it protects you rather than putting you in danger.

References in Modern Culture

The theme of Proverbs 5:7—the importance of listening to wise counsel—appears throughout modern culture:

Movies and TV: Many coming-of-age stories feature a mentor figure who gives advice the young hero initially ignores, only to realize later how valuable it was. Think of Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" or Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings." These characters represent the voice of wisdom saying "listen to me."
Sports and Competition: Athletes often talk about how they wish they'd listened to their coaches earlier in their careers. The best athletes learn to listen to those with more experience, even when the advice is hard to hear.
Music: Many songs explore the theme of ignoring good advice and then regretting it later. From country songs about heartbreak to rap songs about street wisdom, the message is clear: we should listen to those who care about us.
Social Media: In today's world of endless voices and opinions, the challenge of Proverbs 5:7 is more relevant than ever. We must learn to filter out the noise and listen to wisdom that truly matters.

Related Bible Verses

Here are other verses that connect to the theme of listening to wisdom:

"My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you."

— Proverbs 6:20-22

This passage emphasizes the same message as Proverbs 5:7—hold onto the wisdom your parents teach you. It doesn't just help you in the moment; it guides you throughout your whole life, protecting you even when you're not consciously thinking about it.

"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise."

— Proverbs 19:20

This verse shows the result of following the command in Proverbs 5:7. When you listen to advice and don't turn aside from it, you become wise yourself. Wisdom comes from being teachable and actually listening when others share knowledge with you.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

— James 1:22

James takes the concept of listening one step further. It's not enough to just hear good advice—you have to follow it. This connects perfectly with Proverbs 5:7's warning not to turn aside. Real listening includes obeying.

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

— John 10:27

Jesus taught that His followers listen to His voice and follow Him. This is the ultimate example of what Proverbs 5:7 teaches—listening to wisdom and not turning aside from it. When we follow Jesus, we're practicing the same principle of listening and obeying.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'"

— Ephesians 6:1-3

Paul echoes the message of Proverbs by telling children to listen to and obey their parents. This isn't just about following rules—it's about wisdom that leads to a good life. When we listen to those who care about us, life goes better for us.

How to Apply This Verse Today

Here are practical ways to apply the truth of Proverbs 5:7 to your life:

Identify your wise counselors: Make a list of people in your life who genuinely care about you and give good advice. This might include parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, pastors, or mentors. These are the voices you should listen to carefully.
Create listening moments: Set aside time to actually have conversations with the wise people in your life. Put away your phone, turn off distractions, and give them your full attention. Ask them questions and really listen to their answers.
Test your listening: The next time someone who cares about you gives you advice, don't just hear it—write it down. Think about it seriously. Ask yourself if you're going to follow it or turn aside from it. Be honest about your choice.
Study Proverbs regularly: Since Proverbs is full of wisdom about how to live well, read a chapter each day. There are 31 chapters, so you can read the chapter that matches the day of the month. This builds your understanding of wisdom over time.
Check your influences: Look at who you're following on social media, what podcasts you listen to, and what shows you watch. Are these voices teaching you wisdom or pulling you away from it? Be selective about who gets to influence your thinking.
Be teachable: When someone corrects you or gives you feedback, resist the urge to get defensive. Instead, consider whether there's truth in what they're saying. Being willing to learn from others is a sign of wisdom.
Pass it on: As you learn wisdom, share it with others who need it. Be the voice that says "listen to me" to younger siblings, friends, or others who could benefit from what you've learned.

Conclusion

Proverbs 5:7 is short, but it packs a powerful message. In a world full of voices competing for our attention, this verse reminds us to pay special attention to wisdom from people who truly care about us. It's not just about hearing words—it's about listening with intention and not turning away from what we know is right.

The father in Proverbs spoke with urgency because he knew his children would face real temptations and dangers. He wanted them to be prepared. In the same way, God gives us wisdom through His Word because He knows we'll face challenges that could hurt us if we're not careful. The question is: will we listen?

Listening to wisdom isn't always easy. Sometimes it means admitting we don't know everything. Sometimes it means doing the opposite of what feels good in the moment. Sometimes it means going against what everyone else is doing. But the reward for listening is a life that avoids unnecessary pain and regret.

The command "do not turn aside from what I say" is really a loving invitation to stay on the path that leads to life, happiness, and peace. God's wisdom isn't meant to restrict us but to protect us. When we listen to it and follow it, we discover that the boundaries aren't walls keeping us trapped—they're guardrails keeping us safe.

Today, you have a choice. Will you listen to wisdom, or will you turn aside from it? The voices of parents, mentors, the Bible, and God Himself are calling out, saying "listen to me." What will you do with that invitation? Choose to listen. Choose to follow. Choose wisdom. Your future self will thank you for it.