Proverbs 7:21–27

With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

All at once he follows her,

as an ox goes to the slaughter,

or as a stag is caught fast

till an arrow pierces its liver;

as a bird rushes into a snare;

he does not know that it will cost him his life.

And now, O sons, listen to me,

and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her paths,

for many a victim has she laid low,

and all her slain are a mighty throng.

Her house is the way to Sheol,

going down to the chambers of death.

With persuasive words she led him astray;

she seduced him with her smooth talk.

All at once he followed her

like an ox going to the slaughter,

like a deer stepping into a noose

till an arrow pierces his liver,

like a bird darting into a snare,

little knowing it will cost him his life.

Now then, my sons, listen to me;

pay attention to what I say.

Do not let your heart turn to her ways

or stray into her paths.

Many are the victims she has brought down;

her slain are a mighty throng.

Her house is a highway to the grave,

leading down to the chambers of death.

So she seduced him with her pretty speech

and enticed him with her flattery.

He followed her at once,

like an ox going to the slaughter.

He was like a stag caught in a trap,

awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.

He was like a bird flying into a snare,

little knowing it would cost him his life.

So listen to me, my sons,

and pay attention to my words.

Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.

Don’t wander down her wayward path.

For she has been the ruin of many;

many men have been her victims.

Her house is the road to the grave.

Her bedroom is the den of death.

She persuades him with the greatness of her teachings;

with her smooth lips she compels him.

He goes after her suddenly;

like an ox to the slaughter he goes,

and like a stag to the instruction of a fool,

until an arrow pierces his entrails,

like a bird rushing into a snare,

but he does not know that it will cost him his life.

And now, my children, listen to me,

and be attentive to the sayings of my mouth.

May your heart not turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her path.

For many slain she has laid low,

and countless are all of her killings.

The ways of Sheol are her house,

descending to chambers of death.

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield,

With the flattering of her lips she forced him.

He goeth after her straightway,

As an ox goeth to the slaughter,

Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

Till a dart strike through his liver;

As a bird hasteth to the snare,

And knoweth not that it is for his life.

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children,

And attend to the words of my mouth.

Let not thine heart decline to her ways,

Go not astray in her paths.

For she hath cast down many wounded:

Yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Her house is the way to hell,

Going down to the chambers of death.