Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son,^a keep my words

and store up my commands within you.

Keep my commands and you will live;^b

guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart.^c

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

and to insight, “You are my relative.”

They will keep you from the adulterous woman,

from the wayward woman with her seductive words.^d

At the window of my house

I looked down through the lattice.

I saw among the simple,

I noticed among the young men,

a youth who had no sense.^e

He was going down the street near her corner,

walking along in the direction of her house

at twilight,^f as the day was fading,

as the dark of night set in.

Then out came a woman to meet him,

dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

(She is unruly^g and defiant,

her feet never stay at home;

now in the street, now in the squares,

at every corner she lurks.)^h

She took hold of himⁱ and kissed him

and with a brazen face she said:^j

“Today I fulfilled my vows,

and I have food from my fellowship offering^k at home.

So I came out to meet you;

I looked for you and have found you!

I have covered my bed

with colored linens from Egypt.

I have perfumed my bed^l

with myrrh,^m aloes and cinnamon.

Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning;

let’s enjoy ourselves with love!ⁿ

My husband is not at home;

he has gone on a long journey.

He took his purse filled with money

and will not be home till full moon.”

With persuasive words she led him astray;

she seduced him with her smooth talk.^o

All at once he followed her

like an ox going to the slaughter,

like a deer stepping into a noose^p

till an arrow pierces^q his liver,

like a bird darting into a snare,

little knowing it will cost him his life.^r

Now then, my sons, listen^s to me;

pay attention to what I say.

Do not let your heart turn to her ways

or stray into her paths.^t

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.^u