Proverbs 7
- 1
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Begin Abide·
- 2
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Begin Abide·
- 3
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Begin Abide·
- 4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, Begin Abide·
- 5
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words. Begin Abide·
- 6
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. Begin Abide·
- 7
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, Begin Abide·
- 8
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, Begin Abide·
- 9
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night. Begin Abide·
- 10
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. Begin Abide·
- 11
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. Begin Abide·
- 12
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. Begin Abide·
- 13
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: Begin Abide·
- 14
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows. Begin Abide·
- 15
So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you. Begin Abide·
- 16
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. Begin Abide·
- 17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. Begin Abide·
- 18
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! Begin Abide·
- 19
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. Begin Abide·
- 20
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.” Begin Abide·
- 21
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. Begin Abide·
- 22
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, Begin Abide·
- 23
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life. Begin Abide·
- 24
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Begin Abide·
- 25
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. Begin Abide·
- 26
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. Begin Abide·
- 27
Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. Begin Abide·