Proverbs 7

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 colored 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[a] stepping into a noose[b]
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.

Cross References 21

  • 1. S Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 2:1
  • 2. Proverbs 4:4
  • 3. Deuteronomy 6:8; S Proverbs 3:3
  • 4. ver 21; S Job 31:9; S Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 6:24
  • 5. S Proverbs 1:22; S Proverbs 6:32
  • 6. Job 24:15
  • 7. Proverbs 9:13; 1 Timothy 5:13
  • 8. Proverbs 8:1-36; Proverbs 23:26-28
  • 9. S Genesis 39:12
  • 10. S Proverbs 1:20
  • 11. S Leviticus 7:11-18
  • 12. S Esther 1:6; Isaiah 57:7; Ezekiel 23:41; Amos 6:4
  • 13. S Genesis 37:25
  • 14. S Genesis 39:7
  • 15. S ver 5; Proverbs 5:3
  • 16. S Job 18:10
  • 17. S Job 15:22; S Job 16:13
  • 18. S Proverbs 6:26; Ecclesiastes 7:26; Ecclesiastes 9:12
  • 19. Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 5:7; Proverbs 8:32
  • 20. Proverbs 5:7-8
  • 21. Judges 16:19; S Proverbs 2:18; Proverbs 5:5; Proverbs 9:18; Revelation 22:15

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew "fool"
  • [b]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

Proverbs 7 Commentaries

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