Proverbs 7:7-23

7I saw among the naïve, I noticed among the youth, a young man lacking understanding,

8crossing the street near her corner, walking in the direction of her house,

9in the twilight of the evening, in the darkest hours of the night.

10All of a sudden, a woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute and with a cunning heart.

11She is loud and defiant. Her feet never stay at home—

12now in the streets, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.

13So she grabs him and kisses him and with a brazen face says to him:

14“I had to sacrifice fellowship offerings; today I paid my vow.

15So I’ve come out to meet you, to seek your presence eagerly— and I found you!

16I have spread my couch with tapestry of dyed Egyptian linens.

17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18Come, let’s drink our fill of love till morning! Let’s delight ourselves with love.

19For my husband is not at home— he’s gone on a long journey.

20He took a bag of money with him— he won’t come home until full moon.”

21With her persistent pleading she entices him, with smooth talk she seduces him.

22Suddenly he follows her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a stag bounding toward a trap,

23till an arrow pierces its liver. Like a bird darting into a snare, he never considered his own soul!