Proverbs 7

Chapter 7

Another Warning about Immoral Women

1 Follow my advice, my son;
always treasure my commands.2 Obey my commands and live!
Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.t3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.4 Love wisdom like a sister;
make insight a beloved member of your family.5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.6 While I was at the window of my house,
looking through the curtain,7 I saw some naive young men,
and one in particular who lacked common sense.8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.9 It was at twilight, in the evening,
as deep darkness fell.10 The woman approached him,
seductively dressed and sly of heart.11 She was the brash, rebellious type,
never content to stay at home.12 She is often in the streets and markets,
soliciting at every corner.13 She 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.15 You’re the one I was looking for!
I came out to find you, and here you are!16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,
with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning.
Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,19 for my husband is not home.
He’s away on a long trip.20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him
and won’t return until later this month.t”21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech
and enticed him with her flattery.22 He followed her at once,
like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
little knowing it would cost him his life.24 So listen to me, my sons,
and pay attention to my words.25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don’t wander down her wayward path.26 For she has been the ruin of many;
many men have been her victims.27 Her house is the road to the grave.t
Her bedroom is the den of death.

Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulteress

1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call understanding your kinsman;

5 they will keep you from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house
I looked out through the lattice.

7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who lacked judgment.

8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house

9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11 (She is loud and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;

12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)

13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:

14 “I have fellowship offerings at home;
today I fulfilled my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!

16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning;
let's enjoy ourselves with love!

19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.

20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose

23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.

25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.

26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.

27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.