Proverbs 7:21–27

Proverbs 7:21–27 (Listen)

21   With much seductive speech she persuades him;
    with 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 fastProbable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool">1
23     till an arrow pierces its liver;
  as a bird rushes into a snare;
    he does not know that it will cost him his life.

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

Footnotes