6 For, at a window of my house, Through my casement I have looked out, 7 And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding, 8 Passing on in the street, near her corner, And the way 'to' her house he doth step, 9 In the twilight—in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness. 10 And, lo, a woman to meet him—(A harlot's dress, and watchful of heart, 11 Noisy she 'is', and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not. 12 Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait)— 13 And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him, 14 'Sacrifices of peace-offerings 'are' by me, To-day I have completed my vows. 15 Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee. 16 'With' ornamental coverings I decked my couch, Carved works—cotton of Egypt. 17 I sprinkled my bed—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, we are filled 'with' loves till the morning, We delight ourselves in loves. 19 For the man is not in his house, He hath gone on a long journey. 20 A bag of money he hath taken in his hand, At the day of the new moon he cometh to his house.' 21 She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him. 22 He is going after her straightway, As an ox unto the slaughter he cometh, And as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool, 23 Till an arrow doth split his liver, As a bird hath hastened unto a snare, And hath not known that it 'is' for its life.
24 And now, ye sons, hearken to me, And give attention to sayings of my mouth. 25 Let not thy heart turn unto her ways, Do not wander in her paths, 26 For many 'are' the wounded she caused to fall, And mighty 'are' all her slain ones. 27 The ways of Sheol—her house, Going down unto inner chambers of death!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 7:6-27
Commentary on Proverbs 7:6-27
(Read Proverbs 7:6-27)
Here is an affecting example of the danger of youthful lusts. It is a history or a parable of the most instructive kind. Will any one dare to venture on temptations that lead to impurity, after Solomon has set before his eyes in so lively and plain a manner, the danger of even going near them? Then is he as the man who would dance on the edge of a lofty rock, when he has just seen another fall headlong from the same place. The misery of self-ruined sinners began in disregard to God's blessed commands. We ought daily to pray that we may be kept from running into temptation, else we invite the enemies of our souls to spread snares for us. Ever avoid the neighbourhood of vice. Beware of sins which are said to be pleasant sins. They are the more dangerous, because they most easily gain the heart, and close it against repentance. Do nothing till thou hast well considered the end of it. Were a man to live as long as Methuselah, and to spend all his days in the highest delights sin can offer, one hour of the anguish and tribulation that must follow, would far outweigh them.