How to Avoid Sexual Immorality – Proverbs 7:1-27
7 My son, keep my words and store up my commandments within you. (2) Keep my commandments and you will live; cherish my teaching as you do the apple of your eye. (3) Bind them upon your fingers; write them upon the tablet of your heart. (4) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your close relative; (5) so that they may guard you from the stranger, from the adulteress who flatters with her words.
(6) At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. (7) I noticed among the naïve, I observed among the young men, a youth who lacked sense. (8) Going down the street near her corner, he went in the direction of her house, (9) at twilight, in the evening, in the middle of the night, and in the darkness. (10) Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with a cunning heart. (11) She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; (12) now she is in the streets, now in the public square, she lurks at every corner. (13) So it was that she caught him and kissed him, and with a brazen face she said to him, (14) “I have my sacrifice of peace offerings with me, today I have fulfilled my vows. (15) Therefore, I came out to meet you. I was earnestly looking for you, and I have found you! (16) I have covered my bed with linens, with colorful linens from Egypt. (17) I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (18) Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning; let us enjoy ourselves with love! (19) The man is not at home; he is gone on a long journey. (20) He has taken with him his bag filled with money; he will not return home until the full moon.” (21) With her many persuasive words she causes him to yield; with her flattering lips she forces him along. (22) He follows her without question, like an ox going to the slaughter, or like a fool bound in chains goes to his appointed punishment—(23) until an arrow pierces his liver. He is like a bird darting into a snare; not realizing that it will cost him his life.
(24) Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. (25) Do not let your heart turn to her ways; do not stray into her paths; (26) for she has wounded many and thrown them down; indeed, she has slain a great multitude. (27) Her house is a highway to Sheol, leading down to the chambers of death.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
