1 My son, guard what I say and treasure my commands. ISV — Proverbs 7:1
2 Keep my commands and you’ll live. Guard a7:2 The Heb. lacks Guard my teaching as you do your eyesight. ISV — Proverbs 7:2
3 Strap them to your fingers and engrave them on the tablet of your heart. ISV — Proverbs 7:3
4 Say to wisdom, “You’re my sister!” and call understanding your close relative, ISV — Proverbs 7:4
5 so they can keep you from an adulterous woman, from the immoral woman with her seductive words. ISV — Proverbs 7:5
6 For from a window in my house I peered through the lattice work, ISV — Proverbs 7:6
7 and I noticed among the naïve— that is, I discerned among the youths— a senseless young man. ISV — Proverbs 7:7
8 Proceeding down the street near her corner, he makes his way toward her house ISV — Proverbs 7:8
9 at twilight, during the evening, even during the darkest part of the night. ISV — Proverbs 7:9
10 Look! A woman makes her way to meet him, dressed as a prostitute and intending to entrap him. ISV — Proverbs 7:10
11 She is brazen and defiant— her feet don’t remain at home. ISV — Proverbs 7:11
12 Now she is in the street, now in the plazas, she lurks near every corner. ISV — Proverbs 7:12
13 So she grabs hold of him and kisses him, with a brazen face she speaks to him, ISV — Proverbs 7:13
14 “I have given b7:14 The Heb. lacks given my peace offerings, and today I fulfilled my vows. ISV — Proverbs 7:14
15 Therefore, I’ve come out to meet you, I’ve looked just for you, and I found you! ISV — Proverbs 7:15
16 I’ve decorated my bed with new coverings— embroidered linen from Egypt. ISV — Proverbs 7:16
17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. ISV — Proverbs 7:17
18 Come, let’s make love until dawn; let’s comfort ourselves with love, ISV — Proverbs 7:18
19 because my husband isn’t home. He left on a long trip. ISV — Proverbs 7:19
20 He took a fist full of cash and he’ll return home in a month.” ISV — Proverbs 7:20
21 She leads him astray with great persuasion; with flattering lips she seduces him. ISV — Proverbs 7:21
22 All of a sudden he follows her like an ox fit for slaughter or like a fool fit for a trap c7:22 So MT; LXX reads a dog fit for chains ISV — Proverbs 7:22
23 until an arrow pierces his liver. As a bird darts into a snare, he doesn’t realize his fatal decision. d7:23 Lit. realize it is his life ISV — Proverbs 7:23
24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to what I have to say. ISV — Proverbs 7:24
25 Don’t be led astray by her lifestyle, e7:25 Lit. ways and don’t imitate her behavior. f7:25 Lit. paths ISV — Proverbs 7:25
26 For many are the victims whom she has conquered, and many are her slain. ISV — Proverbs 7:26
27 Her house leads to Sheol, g7:27 i.e. the realm of the dead descending to death’s catacombs. ISV — Proverbs 7:27