22 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and (A)he shall pay as the (B)judges determine. 23 But if there is harm,[a] then you shall pay (C)life for life, 24 (D)eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

26 “When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. 27 If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth.

28 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the (E)ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. 29 But if the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not kept it in, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 If (F)a ransom is imposed on him, then (G)he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him. 31 If it gores a man's son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same rule. 32 If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master (H)thirty shekels[b] of silver, and (I)the ox shall be stoned.

Laws About Restitution

33 “When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.

35 “When one man's ox butts another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and share its price, and the dead beast also they shall share. 36 Or if it is known that the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall repay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his.

22 [c] “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and (J)four sheep for a sheep. [d] If a thief is found (K)breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He[e] shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then (L)he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast (M)is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, (N)he shall pay double.

“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.

“If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.

“If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man's house, then, if the thief is found, (O)he shall pay double. If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 (P)an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if (Q)it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.

14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.[f]

Laws About Social Justice

16 (R)“If a man seduces a virgin[g] who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price[h] for her and make her his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, (S)he shall pay money equal to the (T)bride-price for virgins.

18 (U)“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

19 (V)“Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.

20 (W)“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.[i]

21 (X)“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 (Y)You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they (Z)cry out to me, I will surely (AA)hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and (AB)your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

25 (AC)“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 (AD)If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he (AE)cries to me, I will hear, for I am (AF)compassionate.

28 (AG)“You shall not revile God, nor (AH)curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. (AI)The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30 (AJ)You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: (AK)seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

31 (AL)“You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore (AM)you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; (AN)you shall throw it to the dogs.

23 (AO)“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a (AP)malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, (AQ)nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.

(AR)“If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

(AS)“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. (AT)Keep far from a false charge, and (AU)do not kill the innocent and righteous, for (AV)I will not acquit the wicked. (AW)And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.

(AX)“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Laws About the Sabbath and Festivals

10 (AY)“For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.

12 (AZ)“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

13 (BA)“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:23 Or so that her children come out and it is clear who was to blame, he shall be fined as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he alone shall pay. 23If it is unclear who was to blame…
  2. Exodus 21:32 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  3. Exodus 22:1 Ch 21:37 in Hebrew
  4. Exodus 22:2 Ch 22:1 in Hebrew
  5. Exodus 22:3 That is, the thief
  6. Exodus 22:15 Or it is reckoned in (Hebrew comes into) its hiring fee
  7. Exodus 22:16 Or a girl of marriageable age; also verse 17
  8. Exodus 22:16 Or engagement present; also verse 17
  9. Exodus 22:20 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)

22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely[a] but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands(A) and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,(B) 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth,(C) hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,(D) and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up(E) and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.(F) 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels[b](G) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(H) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(I) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

22 [c]“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back(J) five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is caught breaking in(K) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;(L) but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,(M) but if they have nothing, they must be sold(N) to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(O)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(P)

“If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution(Q) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(R) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(S)

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(T) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(U) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(V) and they must[d] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.[e](W) The one whom the judges declare[f] guilty must pay back double to the other.

10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping(X) and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, 11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath(Y) before the Lord that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. 12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution(Z) must be made to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.(AA)

14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.(AB) 15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.(AC)

Social Responsibility

16 “If a man seduces a virgin(AD) who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price,(AE) and she shall be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.

18 “Do not allow a sorceress(AF) to live.

19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal(AG) is to be put to death.

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god(AH) other than the Lord must be destroyed.[g](AI)

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,(AJ) for you were foreigners(AK) in Egypt.

22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.(AL) 23 If you do and they cry out(AM) to me, I will certainly hear their cry.(AN) 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.(AO)

25 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.(AP) 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge,(AQ) return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in?(AR) When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.(AS)

28 “Do not blaspheme God[h](AT) or curse(AU) the ruler of your people.(AV)

29 “Do not hold back offerings(AW) from your granaries or your vats.[i]

“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.(AX) 30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.(AY) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.(AZ)

31 “You are to be my holy people.(BA) So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts;(BB) throw it to the dogs.

Laws of Justice and Mercy

23 “Do not spread false reports.(BC) Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.(BD)

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice(BE) by siding with the crowd,(BF) and do not show favoritism(BG) to a poor person in a lawsuit.

“If you come across your enemy’s(BH) ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.(BI) If you see the donkey(BJ) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

“Do not deny justice(BK) to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge(BL) and do not put an innocent(BM) or honest person to death,(BN) for I will not acquit the guilty.(BO)

“Do not accept a bribe,(BP) for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

“Do not oppress a foreigner;(BQ) you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

Sabbath Laws

10 “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, 11 but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused.(BR) Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

12 “Six days do your work,(BS) but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.(BT)

13 “Be careful(BU) to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods;(BV) do not let them be heard on your lips.(BW)

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:22 Or she has a miscarriage
  2. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces or about 345 grams
  3. Exodus 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1 is numbered 21:37, and 22:2-31 is numbered 22:1-30.
  4. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  5. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  6. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares
  7. Exodus 22:20 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  8. Exodus 22:28 Or Do not revile the judges
  9. Exodus 22:29 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

24 (A)Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, (B)there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

As he sat on (C)the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him (D)privately, saying, “Tell us, (E)when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your (F)coming and of (G)the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, (H)“See that no one leads you astray. For (I)many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am (J)the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you (K)are not alarmed, for this (L)must take place, but the end is not yet. For (M)nation will rise against nation, and (N)kingdom against kingdom, and there will be (O)famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of (P)the birth pains.

“Then (Q)they will deliver you up (R)to tribulation and (S)put you to death, and (T)you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and (U)betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many (V)false prophets will arise (W)and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, (X)the love of many will grow cold. 13 (Y)But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom (Z)will be proclaimed throughout the whole world (AA)as a testimony (AB)to all nations, and (AC)then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation (AD)spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in (AE)the holy place ((AF)let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 (AG)Let the one who is on (AH)the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And (AI)alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be (AJ)great tribulation, (AK)such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for (AL)the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 (AM)Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For (AN)false christs and (AO)false prophets will arise and (AP)perform great signs and wonders, (AQ)so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, (AR)I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, (AS)he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 (AT)For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be (AU)the coming of the Son of Man. 28 (AV)Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 24:10 Or stumble

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(A)

24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another;(B) every one will be thrown down.”

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,(C) the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming(D) and of the end of the age?”(E)

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.(F) For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.(G) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(H) There will be famines(I) and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted(J) and put to death,(K) and you will be hated by all nations because of me.(L) 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets(M) will appear and deceive many people.(N) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(O) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom(P) will be preached in the whole world(Q) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place(R) ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a](S) spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop(T) go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!(U) 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.(V)

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect(W) those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.(X) 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders(Y) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning(Z) that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming(AA) of the Son of Man.(AB) 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.(AC)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11

Ascribe to the Lord Glory

A Psalm of David.

29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,[a]
    (A)ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in (B)the splendor of holiness.[b]

The voice of the Lord is over (C)the waters;
    the God of glory (D)thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is (E)powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks (F)the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to (G)skip like a calf,
    and (H)Sirion like a young (I)wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of (J)Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes (K)the deer give birth[c]
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over (L)the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned (M)as king forever.
11 May the Lord give (N)strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless[d] his people with (O)peace!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 29:1 Hebrew sons of God, or sons of might
  2. Psalm 29:2 Or in holy attire
  3. Psalm 29:9 Revocalization yields makes the oaks to shake
  4. Psalm 29:11 Or The Lord will give… The Lord will bless

Psalm 29

A psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord,(A) you heavenly beings,(B)
    ascribe to the Lord glory(C) and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness.(D)

The voice(E) of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory(F) thunders,(G)
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.(H)
The voice of the Lord is powerful;(I)
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.(J)
He makes Lebanon leap(K) like a calf,
    Sirion[b](L) like a young wild ox.(M)
The voice of the Lord strikes
    with flashes of lightning.(N)
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
    the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.(O)
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[c](P)
    and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”(Q)

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;(R)
    the Lord is enthroned as King forever.(S)
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;(T)
    the Lord blesses his people with peace.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 29:2 Or Lord with the splendor of
  2. Psalm 29:6 That is, Mount Hermon
  3. Psalm 29:9 Or Lord makes the deer give birth

For at (A)the window of my house
    I have looked out through my lattice,
and I have seen among (B)the simple,
    I have perceived among the youths,
    a young man (C)lacking sense,
passing along the street (D)near her corner,
    taking the road to her house
in (E)the twilight, in the evening,
    at (F)the time of night and darkness.

10 And behold, the woman meets him,
    (G)dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.[a]
11 She is (H)loud and (I)wayward;
    (J)her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
    and (K)at every corner she (L)lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
    and with (M)bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to (N)offer sacrifices,[b]
    and today I have (O)paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
    to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with (P)coverings,
    colored linens from (Q)Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with (R)myrrh,
    aloes, and (S)cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
    let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For (T)my husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him;
    at full moon he will come home.”

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
    with (U)her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her,
    as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast[c]
23     till an arrow pierces its liver;
as (V)a bird rushes into a snare;
    he does not know that it will cost him his life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 7:10 Hebrew guarded in heart
  2. Proverbs 7:14 Hebrew peace offerings
  3. Proverbs 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool

At the window of my house
    I looked down through the lattice.
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)
23     till an arrow pierces(M) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.(N)

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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.