Proverbs 7

1My son, keep my words, and store up my commands within you.

2Keep my commands and live; guard my teaching like the apple of your eye.

3Tie them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Say to wisdom: You are my sister, and call understanding your close relative,

5So that they will keep you from another man's wife, from a woman who is unfaithful and flatters you with her words.

6One day I looked out through the window of my house, through the lattice,

7And I saw among the simple people, I noticed among the young men, a young man who had no sense.

8He was walking down the street near her corner, going the way to her house,

9At twilight, as the day was fading, in the dark of night.

10Just then a woman came out to meet him, dressed like a prostitute, with a crafty heart.

11She was loud and rebellious; her feet did not stay at home.

12One moment she was in the street, the next in the public square, lurking at every corner.

13She grabbed him and kissed him, and with a shameless face she said to him:

14I had to offer a peace offering today, and I have paid what I promised.

15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you, and I have found you!

16I have covered my bed with colorful blankets, with fine linen from Egypt.

17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18Come, let us drink deeply of love until morning; let us enjoy ourselves with love,

19Because my husband is not home; he has gone on a long journey.

20He took a bag of money with him and will not come home until the day of the full moon.

21With her persuasive words she led him astray; with her smooth talk she convinced him.

22He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a criminal being led away in chains to be punished,

23Until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird rushing into a snare, not knowing it will cost him his life.

24So now, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

25Do not let your heart turn to her ways; do not wander onto her paths,

26Because she has brought down many wounded; she has killed a mighty crowd of men.

27Her house is the road to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.