Proverbs 7

Another Warning about Immoral Women

1Follow my advice, my son;

always treasure my commands.

2Obey my commands and live!

Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.#7:2 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.

3Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.

Write them deep within your heart.

4Love wisdom like a sister;

make insight a beloved member of your family.

5Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,

from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

6While I was at the window of my house,

looking through the curtain,

7I saw some naive young men,

and one in particular who lacked common sense.

8He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,

strolling down the path by her house.

9It was at twilight, in the evening,

as deep darkness fell.

10The woman approached him,

seductively dressed and sly of heart.

11She was the brash, rebellious type,

never content to stay at home.

12She is often in the streets and markets,

soliciting at every corner.

13She threw her arms around him and kissed him,

and with a brazen look she said,

14“I’ve just made my peace offerings

and fulfilled my vows.

15You’re the one I was looking for!

I came out to find you, and here you are!

16My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,

with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.

17I’ve perfumed my bed

with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning.

Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,

19for my husband is not home.

He’s away on a long trip.

20He has taken a wallet full of money with him

and won’t return until later this month.#7:20 Hebrew until the moon is full.”

21So she seduced him with her pretty speech

and enticed him with her flattery.

22He followed her at once,

like an ox going to the slaughter.

He was like a stag caught in a trap,#7:22 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads slaughter, as shackles are for the discipline of a fool.

23awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.

He was like a bird flying into a snare,

little knowing it would cost him his life.

24So listen to me, my sons,

and pay attention to my words.

25Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.

Don’t wander down her wayward path.

26For she has been the ruin of many;

many men have been her victims.

27Her house is the road to the grave.#7:27 Hebrew to Sheol.

Her bedroom is the den of death.

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Proverbs 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.

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