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13 She seizes him and kisses him,
    and with impudent face she says to him:
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
    and today I have paid my vows;(A)
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
    to seek you eagerly, and I have found you!
16 I have decked my couch with coverings,
    colored spreads of Egyptian linen;(B)
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
    aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
    let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him;
    he will not come home until full moon.”

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
    with her smooth talk she compels him.(C)
22 Right away he follows her
    and goes like an ox to the slaughter
or bounds like a stag toward the trap[a]
23     until an arrow pierces its entrails.
He is like a bird rushing into a snare,
    not knowing that it will cost him his life.(D)

24 And now, my children, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.(E)
25 Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways;
    do not stray into her paths.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 7.22 Cn Compare Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain

13 She took hold of him(A) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:(B)

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

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

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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.