16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,(A)
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

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11 (She is unruly(A) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)(B)
13 She took hold of him(C) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:(D)

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering(E) 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(F)
    with myrrh,(G) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(H)
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.(I)
22 All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b](J)
23     till an arrow pierces(K) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.(L)

24 Now then, my sons, listen(M) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.(N)
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.(O)

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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.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(A)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(B)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(C)
15 calling out(D) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(E) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(F)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(G)

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