Proverbs 7
1 My son, accept what I say and value my instructions.
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
2 Do what I tell you and you will live. Observe my teachings, valuing them as your main focus in life.
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Tie them to your fingers; write them in your mind.
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Tell wisdom, “You're my sister,” and call insight your best friend.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
5 They will protect you from the immoral woman, from the prostitute with her seductive words.
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
6 One time I looked through the lattice of the window in my house,
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.
7 and I saw among the immature young men one who had no sense at all.
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
8 He was walking down the street near the corner where she lived and took the road passing her house.
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
9 It was at dusk in the evening, as the light was fading and the dark night closed in.
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
10 Then out came a woman came to meet him. She was dressed as a prostitute and had deceptive intentions.
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
11 (She was loud and provocative, never wanting to stay at home.
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
12 One moment she'd be walking the streets, the next she'd be there in the town squares, loitering at every corner.)
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
13 She grabbed hold of him and kissed him, and with a bold face she told him,
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
14 “I sacrificed my peace offering today, and paid my vows.
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
15 That's why I came out to meet you. I was looking for you and now I've found you!
So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.
16 My bed is made, covered with colorful linens from Egypt.
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
17 I've sprinkled perfume on my bed—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
18 Come with me, let's make love until the morning. Let's enjoy one another in our love-making!
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!
19 My husband isn't home; he's gone on a long trip.
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him, and he won't be coming back until the full moon.”
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”
21 She convinced him with all that she said; she seduced him with her smooth talking.
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
22 He followed her right away, like an ox to the slaughter. Like a stag that's caught in a snare
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
23 until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird flying into a trap, he's unaware he will pay with his life.
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.
24 So now listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to what I'm saying.
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Don't even think about following her. Don't stray down her road.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.
26 For she has brought down and destroyed a lot of men; she's killed so many.
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
