New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 7
1
My son, obey my words. Store up my commands inside you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:9
Word
Proverbs 1:8
Revelation 1:3
Luke 11:28
John 14:23
Job 22:22
Proverbs 3:1
John 15:20
Luke 8:15
2
Obey my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 17:8
Leviticus 18:5
John 15:14
Isaiah 55:3
Proverbs 4:13
Word
Proverbs 4:4
John 14:21
3
Tie them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 3:3
Isaiah 30:8
Jeremiah 31:33
2 Corinthians 3:3
Proverbs 6:21
Jeremiah 17:1
4
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding a member of your family.
5
They will keep you from a woman who commits adultery. They will keep you from the smooth talk of a sinful wife.
Reference
6
I stood at the window of my house. I looked out through it.
8
He went down the street near that sinful woman's corner. He walked toward her house.
9
The sun had gone down. Day was fading. The darkness of night was falling.
13
She took hold of the young man and kissed him. With a bold face she spoke to him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 39:12
14
She said, "At home I have meat left over from my offerings. Today I offered what I had promised I would.
Reference
15
So I came out to meet you. I looked for you. And I have found you!
17
I've perfumed my bed with spices. I used myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 45:8
18
Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy ourselves by having sex!
19
My husband isn't home. He's gone on a long journey.
Reference
Good
Matthew 20:11
20
He took his bag full of money. He won't be home for several days."
21
She led him down the wrong path with her clever words. She charmed him with her smooth talk.
Reference
22
All at once he followed her. He was like an ox going to be killed. He was like a deer stepping into a trap
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 13:27
23
until an arrow struck its liver. He was like a bird rushing into a trap. Little did he know it would cost him his life!
Reference
26
She has brought down a lot of men. She has killed a huge crowd.
Reference
Parallel theme
Nehemiah 13:26
Chapter Summary
Proverbs 7 gives one of the Bible's most detailed descriptions of how temptation works. The chapter focuses on sexual immorality, but its broader lesson is about recognizing dangerous situations before they become destructive.
The chapter begins with the father telling his son to keep his commandments close to his heart. Wisdom is described almost like a family member. The son should treat wisdom as a close companion because wisdom can protect him when temptation appears.
The father then describes something he has observed.
He sees a young man who lacks good judgment. Instead of staying away from danger, the young man walks near the house of an immoral woman. The timing is also significant: it is evening, and darkness is approaching.
The young man has already made a poor decision before the woman even speaks to him.
He has placed himself in the wrong environment.
The woman then approaches him.
She is described as confident, attractive, persuasive, and deliberate. She uses physical affection, flattering words, religious language, promises of pleasure, luxurious surroundings, and the reassurance that her husband is away.
Everything is designed to make the situation appear safe.
This is one of the chapter's most important lessons:
Temptation rarely presents itself by announcing its consequences.
Guard your heart, stay away from situations that encourage temptation, do not allow flattering words to control your judgment, and think about the final destination before taking the first step. What looks attractive for a moment can lead to consequences that last far longer than the pleasure.
The chapter begins with the father telling his son to keep his commandments close to his heart. Wisdom is described almost like a family member. The son should treat wisdom as a close companion because wisdom can protect him when temptation appears.
The father then describes something he has observed.
He sees a young man who lacks good judgment. Instead of staying away from danger, the young man walks near the house of an immoral woman. The timing is also significant: it is evening, and darkness is approaching.
The young man has already made a poor decision before the woman even speaks to him.
He has placed himself in the wrong environment.
The woman then approaches him.
She is described as confident, attractive, persuasive, and deliberate. She uses physical affection, flattering words, religious language, promises of pleasure, luxurious surroundings, and the reassurance that her husband is away.
Everything is designed to make the situation appear safe.
This is one of the chapter's most important lessons:
Temptation rarely presents itself by announcing its consequences.
Guard your heart, stay away from situations that encourage temptation, do not allow flattering words to control your judgment, and think about the final destination before taking the first step. What looks attractive for a moment can lead to consequences that last far longer than the pleasure.