Proverbs 7

7:1

My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.

7:2

Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

7:3

Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

7:4

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

7:5

that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.

7:6

For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.

7:7

I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,

7:8

crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,

7:9

at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.

7:10

Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.

7:11

She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.

7:12

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

7:13

She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:

7:14

“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.

7:15

So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.

7:17

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

7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!

7:19

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

7:20

He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

7:21

With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

7:22

He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

7:23

until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.

7:24

Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

7:25

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.

7:26

For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.

7:27

Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.