Proverbs 5 NLT

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 

2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. 

3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 

4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. 

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 

6 For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it. 

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

8 Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! 

9 If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved. 

10Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. 

11 In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body. 

12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! 

13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? 

14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.” 

15Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. 

16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 

17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 

20Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? 

21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 

22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 

23 He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

Summary of the Book of 2 Timothy

Summary of the Book of 2 Timothy

This summary of the book of 2 Timothy provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 Timothy.

Author, Date and Setting

See essay, p. 2481. After Paul's release from prison in Rome in a.d. 62 (Ac 28) and after his fourth missionary journey (see map, pp. 2486-2487), during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he wrote 2 Timothy. In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a "rented house" (Ac 28:30; see note there), he now languished in a cold dungeon (see 4:13 and note), chained like a common criminal (1:16; 2:9). His friends even had a hard time finding out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul knew that his work was done and that his life was nearly at an end (4:6-8).

Reasons for Writing

Paul had three reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:

1. Paul was lonely. Phygelus and Hermogenes, "everyone in the province of Asia" (1:15), and Demas (4:10) had deserted him. Crescens, Titus and Tychicus were away (4:10-12), and only Luke was with him (4:11). Paul wanted very much for Timothy to join him also. Timothy was his "fellow worker" (Ro 16:21), who "as a son with his father" (Php 2:22 ; see note there) had served closely with Paul (see 1Co 4:17). Of him Paul could say, "I have no one else like him" (Php 2:20). Paul longed for Timothy (1:4) and twice asked him to come soon (4:9,21). For more information on Timothy see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Recipient.
2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (1:14), to persevere in it (3:14), to keep on preaching it (4:2) and, if necessary, to suffer for it (1:8; 2:3).
3. Paul wanted to write to the Ephesian church through his letter to Timothy (see note on 4:22).

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)