Proverbs 7:1-27
[1]My child, keep my words and store up my commandments
with you; [2]keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of
your eye; [3]bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.
[4]Say to wisdom, "You are my sister", and call insight your intimate
friend, [5]that they may keep you from the loose woman, from the adulteress
with her smooth words.
[6]For at the window of my house I looked out through my
lattice, [7]and I saw among the simple ones, I observed among the youths, a
young man without sense, [8]passing along the street near her corner, taking
the road to her house [9]in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night
and darkness.
[10]Then a woman comes towards him, decked out like a
prostitute, wily of heart. [11]She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at
home; [12]now in the street, now in the squares, and at every corner she lies
in wait. [13]She seizes him and kisses him, and with impudent face she says to
him: [14]"I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have 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 decked my couch with coverings, coloured spreads of Egyptian linen;
[17]I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. [18]Come, let us
take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
[19]For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. [20]He took a
bag of money with him; he will not come home until full moon."
[21]With much seductive speech she persuades him; with
her smooth talk she compels him. [22]Right away he follows her, and goes like
an ox to the slaughter, or bounds like a stag towards the trap [23]until an
arrow pierces its entrails. He is like a bird rushing into a snare, not knowing
that it will cost him his life.
[24]And now, my children, listen to me, and be attentive
to the words of my mouth. [25]Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways; do
not stray into her paths. [26]for many are those she has laid low, and numerous
are her victims. [27]Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers
of death.
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Psalm 143
[1] Hear my prayer, O LORD;
give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
answer me in your righteousness.
[2] Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
[3] For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground,
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
[4] Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
[5] I remember the days of old,
I think about all your deeds,
I meditate on the works of your hands.
[6] I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah
[7] Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
[8] Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
[9] Save me, O LORD, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
[10] Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
on a level path.
[11] For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life.
In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
[12] In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
and destroy all my adversaries,
for I am your servant.
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