Proverbs 7 :: New International Version (NIV)

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

Pro 7:1

Pro 7:1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

Pro 7:2

Pro 7:2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Pro 7:3

Pro 7:3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Pro 7:4

Pro 7:4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”

Pro 7:5

Pro 7:5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Pro 7:6

Pro 7:6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.

Pro 7:7

Pro 7:7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.

Pro 7:8

Pro 7:8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house

Pro 7:9

Pro 7:9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

Pro 7:10

Pro 7:10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

Pro 7:11

Pro 7:11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;

Pro 7:12

Pro 7:12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)

Pro 7:13

Pro 7:13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:

Pro 7:14

Pro 7:14“Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

Pro 7:15

Pro 7:15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!

Pro 7:16

Pro 7:16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.

Pro 7:17

Pro 7:17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

Pro 7:18

Pro 7:18Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

Pro 7:19

Pro 7:19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

Pro 7:20

Pro 7:20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”

Pro 7:21

Pro 7:21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

Pro 7:22

Pro 7:22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer[fn] stepping into a noose[fn]

Pro 7:23

Pro 7:23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Pro 7:24

Pro 7:24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

Pro 7:25

Pro 7:25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.

Pro 7:26

Pro 7:26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.

Pro 7:27

Pro 7:27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(7:22)

Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool

(7:22)

The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the NIV Preface.