Proverbs 7:5-8:18

New International Version

⁵They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.^(A)

⁶At the window of my house
    I looked down through the lattice.
⁷I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense.^(B)
⁸He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
⁹at twilight,^(C) as the day was fading,
    as the dark of night set in.

¹⁰Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
¹¹(She is unruly^(D) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
¹²now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)^(E)
¹³She took hold of him^(F) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:^(G)

¹⁴“Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering^(H) at home.
¹⁵So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!
¹⁶I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
¹⁷I have perfumed my bed^(I)
    with myrrh,^(J) aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!^(K)
¹⁹My husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
²⁰He took his purse filled with money
    and will not be home till full moon.”

²¹With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.^(L)
²²All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b]^(M)
²³    till an arrow pierces^(N) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.^(O)

²⁴Now then, my sons, listen^(P) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
²⁵Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.^(Q)
²⁶Many are the victims she has brought down;
    her slain are a mighty throng.
²⁷Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.^(R)

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?^(S)
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
²At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:^(T)
⁴“To you, O people, I call out;^(U)
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵You who are simple,^(V) gain prudence;^(W)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[c]
⁶Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷My mouth speaks what is true,^(X)
    for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
⁹To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
¹⁰Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,^(Y)
¹¹for wisdom is more precious^(Z) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.^(AA)

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.^(AB)
¹³To fear the Lord^(AC) is to hate evil;^(AD)
    I hate^(AE) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(AF)
¹⁵By me kings reign
    and rulers^(AG) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶by me princes govern,^(AH)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[d]
¹⁷I love those who love me,^(AI)
    and those who seek me find me.^(AJ)
¹⁸With me are riches and honor,^(AK)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(AL)

Footnotes

Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers