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Proverbs 7:21-26
English Standard Version
Proverbs 7:21-26
English Standard Version
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with (A)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[a]
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as (B)a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 And (C)now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are (D)a mighty throng.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool
Proverbs 7:21-26
New International Version
Proverbs 7:21-26
New International Version
21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.(A)
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b](B)
23 till an arrow pierces(C) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.(D)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
- Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
Proverbs 7:21-26
King James Version
Proverbs 7:21-26
King James Version
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
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English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.