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What does Proverbs 5:16 mean?

Don’t let your love spill out in the streets or your affection go to strangers. Proverbs 5:16 - Modern Text Bible

(He’s saying not to waste intimacy or affection on people outside your committed relationship.)

Not everything that’s yours is meant to be shared with everyone. The Hebrew word for "springs" is maqor, meaning a source or fountain — something life-giving and valuable. This verse uses the image of water flowing out into the street to question whether what’s personal and sacred should be made public or given away carelessly. It pushes back against a culture that treats intimacy as casual and boundaries as old-fashioned. The question here is about value: do you treat your own life, relationships, and commitments as precious, or do you let them spill out for anyone? In practical terms, this could mean setting boundaries in relationships, guarding your time, or being thoughtful about what you share online. The things that matter most deserve to be protected, not broadcasted or wasted.