Proverbs 7

^{Proverbs 7:1} My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.

^{Proverbs 7:2} Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

^{Proverbs 7:3} Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

^{Proverbs 7:4} Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

^{Proverbs 7:5} that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.

^{Proverbs 7:6} For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.

^{Proverbs 7:7} I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,

^{Proverbs 7:8} crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,

^{Proverbs 7:9} at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.

^{Proverbs 7:10} Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.

^{Proverbs 7:11} She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.

^{Proverbs 7:12} Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.

^{Proverbs 7:13} She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:

^{Proverbs 7:14} “I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.

^{Proverbs 7:15} So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

^{Proverbs 7:16} I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.

^{Proverbs 7:17} I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.

^{Proverbs 7:18} Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!

^{Proverbs 7:19} For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

^{Proverbs 7:20} He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

^{Proverbs 7:21} With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

^{Proverbs 7:22} He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

^{Proverbs 7:23} until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.

^{Proverbs 7:24} Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

^{Proverbs 7:25} Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.

^{Proverbs 7:26} For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.

^{Proverbs 7:27} Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.