Proverbs 7:21

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

²² He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

²³ until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
KJV: With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
WEB: With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.
ASV: With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield; With the flattering of her lips she forceth him along.
DARBY: With her much enticement she beguiled him; with the smoothness of her lips she constrained him.
BLB: She turns him aside with the abundance of her speech; with the smoothness of her lips she compels him.

ÅB: Hun fikk lokket ham ved sin sterke overtalelse, ved sine glatte lepper forførte hun ham.
OTB: Med sine mange overtalelser lokker hun ham; med sine glatte lepper forfører hun ham.
B1930: Hun fikk lokket ham ved sin sterke overtalelse, ved sine glatte leber forførte hun ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Proverbs 5:3
Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
Read in context
Proverbs 7:5
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
Read in context
2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
Read in context
Luke 24:29
But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
Read in context
Psalms 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Read in context
Judges 16:15–17
“How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!”
Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
Read in context
Proverbs 6:24
to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
Read in context