26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. (ESV) For the context, see Proverbs 6:20-35. 'For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life." (KJV)
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The loaf of bread (or the price of that loaf) of which the proverb is speaking is the cost of hiring a prostitute for sex. The proverb is comparing that relatively small expense with the much greater "cost" (even if no exchange of money or goods takes place) to a man who commits adultery with another man's wife (even if the wife was a woman of loose morals who was a willing participant in that adultery), which may result in the adulterer losing his life at the hands of the woman's wronged husband.
The Net Bible says, "For on account of a prostitute one is brought down to a loaf of bread, but the wife of another man preys on your precious life." When a man goes to a prostitute, he lowers himself to become nothing more than a “meal ticket” to sustain the life of that woman; however, when a man commits adultery, he places his very life in jeopardy – the rage of the husband could very well kill him. --bible.org "How much is a piece of bread worth? About 10 ¢, which the average man can earn in about 14 seconds! But this is the value of a man who has sex with a whorish woman, unless God graciously intervenes. He is ruined! He spends to buy her favors, flatter himself, cover his sin, buy off judgment, and pay for medical help (Pr 5:10; 6:35). Ungodly sex is expensive! The prodigal wasted his inheritance with harlots (Pr 29:3; Lu 15:13,30). And Job testified that adultery would destroy him financially (Job 31:12)." letgodbetrue.com Men, if you pay a prostitute for her services, you'll end up paying A WHOLE LOT MORE in damages to your body (and thus, to your pocketbook) and to your soul. So, stay away from prostitutes!
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