Proverbs 7
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 7, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Proverbs 7:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Proverbs 7:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Proverbs 7:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Say unto wisdom, Thou {art} my sister; and call understanding {thy} kinswoman:
Proverbs 7:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger {which} flattereth with her words.
Proverbs 7:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
Proverbs 7:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, {the youths: Heb. the sons}
Proverbs 7:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
Proverbs 7:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: {in the evening: Heb. in the evening of days}
Proverbs 7:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And, behold, there met him a woman {with} the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
(She {is} loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Proverbs 7:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Now {is she} without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Proverbs 7:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
So she caught him, and kissed him, {and} with an impudent face said unto him, {with...: Heb. she strengthened her face and said}
Proverbs 7:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
{I have} peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. {I have...: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me}
Proverbs 7:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
Proverbs 7:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved {works}, with fine linen of Egypt.
Proverbs 7:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Proverbs 7:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
Proverbs 7:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
For the goodman {is} not at home, he is gone a long journey:
Proverbs 7:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
He hath taken a bag of money with him, {and} will come home at the day appointed. {with...: Heb. in his hand} {the day...: or, the new moon}
Proverbs 7:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Proverbs 7:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; {straightway: Heb. suddenly}
Proverbs 7:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it {is} for his life.
Proverbs 7:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 7:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Proverbs 7:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong {men} have been slain by her.
Proverbs 7:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
Her house {is} the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.