Proverbs 7 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Warning Against the Adulteress

1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; (Pr 2:1) 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; (De 32:10; Pr 4:4) 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Pr 3:3) 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, 5 to keep you from the forbidden^[1] woman, from the adulteress^[2] with her smooth words. (Pr 2:16) 6 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, (Jud 5:28) 7 and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, (Pr 1:4; Pr 6:32) 8 passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house (Pr 7:12) 9 in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. (Job 24:15; Pr 20:20) 10 And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.^[3] (Ge 38:14) 11 She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; (Pr 9:13; Ho 4:16; 1Ti 5:13; Tit 2:5)

Pr 9:13Ho 4:161Ti 5:13Tit 2:5

12 now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. (Pr 7:8; Pr 23:28) 13 She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, (Pr 21:29) 14 “I had to offer sacrifices,^[4] and today I have paid my vows; (Le 7:11; Ps 50:14) 15 so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. 16 I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; (Pr 31:22; Isa 19:9) 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Ex 30:23; Ps 45:8) 18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. 19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; (Mt 20:11) 20 he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” 21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. (Ps 12:2; Pr 5:3; Pr 6:24) 22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast^[5] 23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. (Ec 9:12) 24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. (Pr 4:1) 25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, 26 for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. (Jud 16:1; Ne 13:26) 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. (Pr 2:18; Pr 5:5; Pr 9:18)

New International Version

Warning against the adulterous woman

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 to insight, ‘You are my relative.’ 5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. 6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 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 unruly 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 ‘Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with coloured linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply 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^[1] stepping into a noose^[2] 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.