Warning Against Adulterous Woman Ch 7
A Proverbs 7 Weaving of Scripture
This is a Proverbs Chapter 7 rewrite. I have inserted parts of scripture where they seem to relate, but to maintain cohesion, I’ve changed some words. Verb tense changes and pronoun changes are not noted, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.
I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I plan to release these one chapter every Sunday: Chapters 1-9, 30-31. Click the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links will be available at the end once released.
Proverbs Chapter 7
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to Insight, “You are my relative.”1 [And] she will reply, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”2
[Wisdom and Insight] will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words,3 from a spirit of prostitution [who] leads them astray.4 The fool [who] says in her heart, “There is no God.” She is corrupt. Her deeds are vile.5
The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.6 At the window of his house, he looks down through the lattice. He saw among the simple, he noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.7 …[For] there arose another generation . . . who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.8
[This youth] was going down the street near [the prostitute’s] corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.9 …Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.10
Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is unruly and defiant. Her feet never stay at home. Now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.11 The land is full of adulterers.12 At the head of every street, she builds her loft shrines and degrades her beauty, offering her body with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passes by.13
She took hold of [the youth] and kissed him and with a brazen face she said,14 “Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?15 Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.16 Also the food [my husband] provided for me—the fine flour, olive oil and honey he gave me to eat.17 So I came out to meet you. I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning. Let’s enjoy ourselves with love!18 I lavish my favors on [you] who passes by and my beauty will become yours.19 My husband is not at home. He has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
With persuasive words, she led him astray. She seduced him with her smooth talk.20 She fills him with false hopes . . . speaking visions from her own mind, not from the mouth of the Lord. She keeps saying to those who . . . follow the stubbornness of their hearts . . . “No harm will come to you.”21 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.”22 . . . You are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.”23
All at once [the youth] followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.24 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die. Death will be their shepherd.25
Now then, my sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down. Her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.26 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—and people praise them when they prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.27
Proverbs 7:1-4
Luke 8:21
Proverbs 7:5
Hosea 12:d
Psalm 14:1a-b
Psalm 14:2
Proverbs 7:6-7
Judges 2:10b-c
Proverbs 7:8-9
John 11:9-10
Proverbs 7:10-12
Jeremiah 23:10a
Ezekiel 16:25
Proverbs 7:13
Genesis 3:1d
Proverbs 7:14
Ezekiel 16:19a-b
Proverbs 7:15-18
Ezekiel 16:15b
Proverbs 7:19-21
Jeremiah 23:16c-17
Jeremiah 7:4
Jeremiah 7:8
Proverbs 7:22-23
Psalm 49:13-14a
Proverbs 7:24-27
Psalm 49:18-19
You are so good at remembering where these ideas are in other parts of scripture!