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15 Calling to passersby
    as they go on their way straight ahead:
16 “Let those who are naive turn in here,
    to those who lack sense I say,
17 Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread taken secretly is pleasing!”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 9:17 “Stolen water” seems to refer to adultery, for “water” in 5:15–17 refers to the wife’s sexuality; “stolen” refers to stealing the sexuality belonging to another’s household. “Secret” evokes the furtive meeting of the wife and the youth in chap. 7.

15 calling out(A) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(B) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(C)

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