19 For (A)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 (B)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 (C)a bird rushes into a snare;
    he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24 And (D)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 (E)a mighty throng.
27 Her house is (F)the way to Sheol,
    going down to the chambers of death.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $47.49
Save: $27.50 (37%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.49
Save: $2.50 (31%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Archaeology Study Bible
ESV Archaeology Study Bible
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $44.49
Save: $25.50 (36%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars