Proverbs 7

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 houseISV — 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