Proverbs 7 (New International Version)

Warning Against the Adulteress

1 My son,¹ keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live;² guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.³ 4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman; 5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.⁴ 6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.⁵ 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight,⁶ as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is loud⁷ and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)⁸ 13 She took hold of him⁹ and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:¹⁰ 14 "I have fellowship offerings^a11 at home; today I fulfilled my vows. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed¹² with myrrh,¹³ aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!¹⁴ 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.¹⁵ 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer^b stepping into a noose^c16 23 till an arrow pierces¹⁷ his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.¹⁸ 24 Now then, my sons, listen¹⁹ to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.²⁰ 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave,^d leading down to the chambers of death.²¹