I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense.(A)
He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
at twilight,(B) 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(C) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)(D)
13 She took hold of him(E) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:(F)

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering(G) 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(H)
    with myrrh,(I) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(J)
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.(K)
22 All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b](L)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
  2. Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

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