Proverbs 7:9-8:24
New International Version
9 at twilight,(A) 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 unruly(B) and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)(C)
13 She took hold of him(D) and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:(E)
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering(F) at home.
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 bed(G)
with myrrh,(H) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(I)
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.(J)
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b](K)
23 till an arrow pierces(L) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.(M)
24 Now then, my sons, listen(N) to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.(O)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.(P)
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?(Q)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(R)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(S)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(T) gain prudence;(U)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[c]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(V)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(W)
11 for wisdom is more precious(X) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(Y)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(Z)
13 To fear the Lord(AA) is to hate evil;(AB)
I hate(AC) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(AD)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(AE) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(AF)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[d]
17 I love those who love me,(AG)
and those who seek me find me.(AH)
18 With me are riches and honor,(AI)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(AJ)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(AK)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(AL)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(AM)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(AN)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
- Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
- Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
- Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
- Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.