Proverbs 7

1 My son, keep my words,

And *Prov. 2:1treasure my commands within you.

2 *Lev. 18:5; Prov. 4:4; (Is. 55:3)Keep my commands and live,

*Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8; Zech. 2:8And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 *Deut. 6:8; Prov. 6:21Bind them on your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"

And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 *Prov. 2:16; 5:3That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductress who flatters with her words.

The Crafty Harlot

6 For at the window of my house

I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple,

I perceived among the youths,

A young man *(Prov. 6:32; 9:4, 16)devoid of understanding,

8 Passing along the street near her corner;

And he took the path to her house

9 *Job 24:15In the twilight, in the evening,

In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him,

With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 *Prov. 9:13; 1 Tim. 5:13She was loud and rebellious,

*Titus 2:5Her feet would not stay at home.

12 At times shewas outside, at times in the open square,

Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him;

With an impudent face she said to him:

14 "Ihave peace offerings with me;

Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you,

Diligently to seek your face,

And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,

Colored coverings of *Is. 19:9; Ezek. 27:7Egyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;

Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husband is not at home;

He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him,

And will come home on the appointed day."

21 With *Prov. 5:3her enticing speech she caused him to yield,

*Ps. 12:2With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,

Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.

*Eccl. 9:12As a bird hastens to the snare,

He did not know it wouldcost his life.

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;

Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,

Do not stray into her paths;

26 For she has cast down many wounded,

And *Neh. 13:26all who were slain by her were strong men.

27 *Prov. 2:18; 5:5; 9:18; (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Rev. 22:15)Her house is the way to hell,

Descending to the chambers of death.