Proverbs 7 — FBV
7Verse 1My son, accept what I say and value my instructions.Verse 2Do what I tell you and you will live. Observe my teachings, valuing them as your main focus in life.Verse 3Tie them to your fingers; write them in your mind.Verse 4Tell wisdom, “You're my sister,” and call insight your best friend.Verse 5They will protect you from the immoral woman, from the prostitute with her seductive words.Verse 6One time I looked through the lattice of the window in my house,Verse 7and I saw among the immature young men one who had no sense at all.Verse 8He was walking down the street near the corner where she lived and took the road passing her house.Verse 9It was at dusk in the evening, as the light was fading and the dark night closed in.Verse 10Then out came a woman to meet him. She was dressed as a prostitute and had deceptive intentions.Verse 11(She was loud and provocative, never wanting to stay at home.Verse 12One moment she'd be walking the streets, the next she'd be there in the town squares, loitering at every corner.)Verse 13She grabbed hold of him and kissed him, and with a bold face she told him,Verse 14“I sacrificed my peace offering today, and paid my vows.+Verse 15That's why I came out to meet you. I was looking for you and now I've found you!Verse 16My bed is made, covered with colorful linens from Egypt.Verse 17I've sprinkled perfume on my bed—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.Verse 18Come with me, let's make love until the morning. Let's enjoy one another in our love-making!Verse 19My husband isn't home; he's gone on a long trip.Verse 20He took a bag of money with him, and he won't be coming back until the full moon.”Verse 21She convinced him with all that she said; she seduced him with her smooth talking.Verse 22He followed her right away, like an ox to the slaughter. Like a stag that's caught in a snareVerse 23until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird flying into a trap, he's unaware he will pay with his life.Verse 24So now listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to what I'm saying.Verse 25Don't even think about following her. Don't stray down her road.Verse 26For she has brought down and destroyed a lot of men; she's killed so many.Verse 27Her house leads to the grave—it goes down to the rooms of death.