6:32
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The second line completes the thought of the first line. It explains why a person who commits adultery lacks judgment.
32a
He who commits adultery lacks judgment;
32b
whoever does so destroys himself.
The contrast between 6:31 and 6:32 is that the punishment is more severe. The man who sleeps with another man’s wife will be punished far more severely than a thief who steals to satisfy his hunger. The thief loses his belongings. The man who sleeps with another man’s wife destroys his own life.
6:32a
He who commits adultery lacks judgment: In Hebrew, the phrase lacks judgment is literally “lacking heart.” In this phrase, the word “heart” refers primarily to a person’s mental faculties—the ability to think clearly and to make good decisions. It does not refer to a person’s emotions. So the phrase “lacking heart” describes someone who lacks common sense and makes foolish decisions. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
has no sense (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
is a senseless fool (Revised English Bible)
6:32b
destroys himself: Most versions translate this phrase as destroys himself. It is clear from 6:33 that the adulterer does not die immediately. Rather, his actions lead to his own life being ruined. This line does not necessarily refer to the death penalty, so you should not use an expression that definitely refers to the man’s death.
General Comment on 6:32a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder parts of 6:32a–b. For example:
But ⌊how much worse for⌋ a person who sleeps with another man’s wife. He will cause his own destruction. What a fool he is!
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