Proverbs 7:1

Admonition to Avoid the Wiles of the Adulteress

7:1 My child, keep my words

and treasure up my commands in your own keeping.

Proverbs 7:24

7:24 So now, sons, listen to me,

and pay attention to the words I speak.


sn The chapter begins with the important teaching of the father (1-5), then it focuses on the seduction: first of the victim (6-9), then the temptress (10-12), then the seduction (13-20), and the capitulation (21-23); the chapter concludes with the deadly results of consorting (24-27).

tn Heb “my son.”

tn Heb “within you” (so NASB, NIV); KJV, ASV, NRSV “with you.” BDB 860 s.v. צָפַן Qal.1 suggests that “within you” means “in your own keeping.”

tn The literal translation “sons” works well here in view of the warning. Cf. KJV, NAB, NRSV “children.”

tn Heb “the words of my mouth.”