Proverbs 9:17

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

American King James Version (AKJV)

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

American Standard Version (ASV)

Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.

Webster's Revision

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

World English Bible

"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

English Revised Version (ERV)

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Clarke's Proverbs 9:17 Bible Commentary

Stolen waters are sweet - I suppose this to be a proverbial mode of expression, importing that illicit pleasures are sweeter than those which are legal The meaning is easy to be discerned; and the conduct of multitudes shows that they are ruled by this adage. On it are built all the adulterous intercourses in the land.

Barnes's Proverbs 9:17 Bible Commentary

The besetting sin of all times and countries, the one great proof of the inherent corruption of man's nature. Pleasures are attractive because they are forbidden (compare Romans 7:7).

Wesley's Proverbs 9:17 Bible Commentary

9:17 Sweet - From the difficulty of obtaining them; and because the very prohibition renders them more grateful to corrupt nature.