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food eaten in secret is delicious!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, and bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet, And bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet; And bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet; And bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet; And bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; And bread <i>eaten</i> in secret is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Stolen water tastes best, and the food you eat in secret tastes best of all." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is tasty."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Stolen water is sweeter. Stolen bread tastes better." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is delicious."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Stolen waters are sweet, "" And hidden bread is pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Stolen waters will be sweet, and the bread of secrets shall be pleasant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Stolen water is sweet, and bread taken secretly is pleasing!” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, and secret bread is pleasant,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/9-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1642" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">The Way of Folly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1589.htm" title="1589: gə·nū·ḇîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">“Stolen</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim- (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/4985.htm" title="4985: yim·tā·qū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To become or be sweet or pleasant. A primitive root; to suck, by implication, to relish, or be sweet.">is sweet,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: wə·le·ḥem (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">and bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/5643.htm" title="5643: sə·ṯā·rîm (N-mp) -- A covering, hiding place, secrecy. Or cithrah,; from cathar; a cover.">eaten in secret</a> <a href="/hebrew/5276.htm" title="5276: yin·‘ām (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be pleasant, delightful, or lovely. A primitive root; to be agreeable.">is tasty!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-15.htm">Romans 7:15-23</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">1 John 2:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Psalm 10:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-1.htm">Psalm 36:1-4</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Jeremiah 23:14</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Hosea 7:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.</p><p class="hdg">stolen</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Proverbs 20:17</a></b></br> Bread of deceit <i>is</i> sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-31.htm">Proverbs 23:31,32</a></b></br> Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, <i>when</i> it moveth itself aright… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a></b></br> And when the woman saw that the tree <i>was</i> good for food, and that it <i>was</i> pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make <i>one</i> wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.</p><p class="hdg">eaten in secret</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-18.htm">Proverbs 7:18-20</a></b></br> Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20</a></b></br> Such <i>is</i> the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/5-24.htm">2 Kings 5:24-27</a></b></br> And when he came to the tower, he took <i>them</i> from their hand, and bestowed <i>them</i> in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/9-5.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Delicious</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-5.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-17.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-10.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Secrecy</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-32.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/62-10.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-17.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Water</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Delicious</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-26.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-26.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-32.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Secrecy</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-19.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Water</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-25.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">The discipline</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-4.htm">and the doctrine of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">The custom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-16.htm">and error of folly</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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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 <a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a>, 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 <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Proverbs 20:17</a>, where bread gained by deceit is sweet but turns to gravel.<p><b>and bread eaten in secret is tasty!</b><br>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 <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a>, 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 <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>, providing true and eternal sustenance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lady_folly.htm">Lady Folly</a></b><br>In <a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Proverbs 9</a>, Lady Folly is personified as a seductive figure who entices individuals away from wisdom and righteousness. She represents foolishness and sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_simple.htm">The Simple</a></b><br>This term refers to those who are naive or lack discernment. They are easily swayed by temptation and deception.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_house_of_folly.htm">The House of Folly</a></b><br>Symbolically, this is the place where foolishness and sin reside. It contrasts with the house of wisdom, which offers life and understanding.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_path_of_sin.htm">The Path of Sin</a></b><br>This is the metaphorical journey one takes when succumbing to temptation and folly, leading away from God's wisdom and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_allure_of_sin.htm">The Deceptive Allure of Sin</a></b><br>Sin often appears attractive and desirable, much like "stolen water" and "bread eaten in secret." However, its sweetness is temporary and leads to destruction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_folly.htm">The Consequences of Folly</a></b><br>Engaging in sin may seem pleasurable at the moment, but it ultimately leads to spiritual death and separation from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_wisdom.htm">The Call to Wisdom</a></b><br>Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom, which leads to life and understanding. This involves making choices that align with God's will and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_and_community.htm">Accountability and Community</a></b><br>Engaging in secretive sin often isolates individuals. Christians are called to live in community, holding each other accountable and encouraging one another in righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_9_17_suggest_theft's_allure.htm">Proverbs 9:17 suggests stolen water is sweet. Does this imply that forbidden acts have inherent appeal, and how does this reconcile with other passages condemning theft? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'stolen_water_is_sweet'_mean.htm">What does "Stolen Water is Sweet" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'sanctify_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does 'Stolen Water is Sweet' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_personification_over_concrete_proof.htm">Proverbs 9:13-18 presents Folly as another woman calling out to the naive. Why rely on personification instead of providing concrete historical or scientific validations for these moral teachings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Stolen waters are sweet.</span>--See above, on <a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm" title="Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well.">Proverbs 5:15</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Bread eaten in secret.</span>--The same figure is used in <a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm" title="Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and said, I have done no wickedness.">Proverbs 30:20</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - This is what she says: <span class="cmt_word">Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.</span> The metaphor of "stolen waters" refers primarily to adulterous intercourse, as to "drink waters out of one's own cistern" (<a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">Proverbs 5:15</a>, 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 - <p><span class="foreign">"Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata;<br />Sic interdictis imminet aeger aquis.'</span> 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: <a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a>, etc.; Ecclus. 15:3; <a href="/psalms/69-1.htm">Psalm 69:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/17-15.htm">Revelation 17:15</a> ("the waters are peoples"); <a href="/isaiah/22-20.htm">Isaiah 22:20</a>; 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). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/9-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Stolen</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּנוּבִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(gə·nū·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1589.htm">Strong's 1589: </a> </span><span class="str2">To thieve, to deceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">water</span><br /><span class="heb">מַֽיִם־</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is sweet,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְתָּ֑קוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yim·tā·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4985.htm">Strong's 4985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To become or be sweet or pleasant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and bread</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֶ֖חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[eaten] in secret</span><br /><span class="heb">סְתָרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ṯā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5643.htm">Strong's 5643: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, hiding place, secrecy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is tasty!”</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנְעָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yin·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5276.htm">Strong's 5276: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleasant, delightful, or lovely</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:17 Stolen water is sweet (Prov. 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