Sprüche 7 | New International Reader’s Version

A warning against a woman who commits adultery

1 My son, obey my words. Store up my commands inside you. 2 Obey my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would guard your own eyes. 3 Tie them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister.’ Say to understanding, ‘You are a member of my family.’ 5 They will keep you from a woman who commits adultery. They will keep you from the smooth talk of a sinful wife. 6 I stood at the window of my house. I looked down through it. 7 Among those who were childish I saw a young man who had no sense. 8 He went down the street near that sinful woman’s corner. He walked towards her house. 9 The sun had gone down, and the day was fading. The darkness of night was falling. 10 A woman came out to meet him. She was dressed like a prostitute and had a clever plan. 11 She was wild and pushy. She never stayed at home. 12 Sometimes she’s in the streets. Sometimes she’s at other places. At every corner she waits. 13 She took hold of the young man and kissed him. With a bold face she spoke to him. She said, 14 ‘Today I offered what I promised I would. At home I have meat left over from my fellowship offering. 15 So I came out to meet you. I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with coloured sheets from Egypt. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with spices. I used myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy ourselves by sleeping together! 19 My husband isn’t home. He’s gone on a long journey. 20 He took his bag full of money. He won’t be home for several days.’ 21 She led him astray with her clever words. She charmed him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her. He was like an ox going to be killed. He was like a deer stepping into a trap 23 until an arrow struck its liver. He was like a bird rushing into a trap. Little did he know it would cost him his life! 24 My sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say. 25 Don’t let your hearts turn to her ways. Don’t step onto her paths. 26 She has brought down a lot of men. She has killed a huge crowd. 27 Her house is a road to the grave. It leads down to the place of the dead.

English Standard Version

Warning Against the Adulteress

1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching 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 insight your intimate friend, 5 to keep you from the forbidden* woman, from the adulteress* with her smooth words. 6 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, 7 and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, 8 passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house 9 in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. 10 And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.* 11 She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. 13 She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, 14 “I had to offer sacrifices,* and today I have paid my vows; 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; 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 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; 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. 22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast* 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. 24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 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. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Sprüche 7 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

A warning against a woman who commits adultery

Warning Against the Adulteress