Proverbs 7:14-24

Warning Against the Adulteress

14 "I had to z offer sacrifices, 1
and today I have a paid my vows;
 15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
 16 I have spread my couch with b coverings,
colored linens from c Egyptian linen;
 17 I have perfumed my bed with d myrrh,
aloes, and e cinnamon.
 18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
 19 For f 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 g 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 2
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as h a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24 And i now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

  1. Cross References
    Leviticus 7:11
    And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the Lord.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 50:14
    Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 31:22
    She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 19:9
    The workers in combed flax will be in despair, and the weavers of white cotton.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 45:8
    Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 30:23
    Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 20:11
    And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house.
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 5:3
    For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.
    Proverbs 6:24
    To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
    Psalms 12:2
    Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
  9. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 9:12
    For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:1
    Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.