Proverbs 7
Warning Against the Adulteress
1 My son, keep my wordsand store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"
and call understanding your kinsman;
and call understanding your kinsman;
5 they will keep you from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
6 At the window of my house
I looked out through the lattice.
I looked out through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who lacked judgment.
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
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is loud and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
and with a brazen face she said:
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning;
let's enjoy ourselves with love!
let's enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon."
and will not be home till full moon."
21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer [b] stepping into a noose [c]
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer [b] stepping into a noose [c]
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.
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.
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
her slain are a mighty throng.
Footnotes:
- Proverbs 7:14 Traditionally peace offerings
- Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint Hebrew fool
- Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
- Proverbs 7:27 Hebrew Sheol
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