Proverbs 7
7
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
1My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
6At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
7I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.
8He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
10Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11(She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
13She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
14“Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
21With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer#7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool stepping into a noose#7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
23till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.
24Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
26Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 7: NIV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 7
7
Wisdom Will Keep You From Adultery
1My son, remember my words. Don’t forget what I have told you. 2Consider my teaching as precious as your own eyes. Obey my commands, and you will have a good life. 3Tie them around your finger. Write them on your heart. 4Treat wisdom like the woman you love and knowledge like the one dearest to you. 5Wisdom will save you from that other woman, the other man’s wife, who tempts you with such sweet words.
6One day I was looking out my window 7at some foolish teenagers and noticed one who had no sense at all. 8He was walking through the marketplace and came to the corner where a certain woman lived. He then turned up the road that goes by her house. 9The day was ending. The sun had set, and it was almost dark. 10Suddenly, there she was in front of him, dressed like a prostitute. She had plans for him. 11She was a wild and rebellious woman who would not stay at home. 12She walked the streets, always looking for someone to trap. 13She grabbed the young man and kissed him. Without shame, she looked him in the eye and said, 14“I offered a fellowship offering today. I gave what I promised to give, 15and I still have plenty of food left. So I came out to find you, and here you are! 16I have clean sheets on my bed—special ones from Egypt. 17My bed smells wonderful with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let’s enjoy ourselves all night. We can make love until dawn. 19My husband has gone on a business trip. 20He took enough money for a long trip and won’t be home for two weeks.#7:20 won’t be … weeks Literally, “will not come home until the full moon.” The fellowship offering (see verse 14) was usually at the time of the new moon, the first day of the Hebrew month, which was two weeks before the full moon.”
21This is what the woman said to tempt the young man, and her smooth words tricked him. 22He followed her, like a bull being led to the slaughter. He was like a deer walking into a trap, 23where a hunter waits to shoot an arrow through its heart. The boy was like a bird flying into a net, never seeing the danger he was in.
24Now, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say. 25Don’t let your heart lead you to an evil woman like that. Don’t go where she wants to lead you. 26She has brought down some of the most powerful men; she has left many dead bodies in her path. 27Her house is the place of death. The road to it leads straight to the grave.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1987, 2004 Bible League International