Day 7 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotion

Day 7  There is a dark foe who wants to lead you astray and keep you from wisdom and life. The Enemy is crafty. Don't be naive. He knows just what will entice you--whether it is sex, drugs, or just someone who seems to listen and care. Wisdom teaches us to be innocent but also careful. Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs 7:1-5 Child, hold on to what I say; always keep it with you.  Do it and you will live. The most important thing is to live this way. Let my advice be your constant reminder. Tattoo it on your heart saying, “Wisdom, you’re my sister and insight my closest friend,” so they will steer you clear of whores who would cheat and seduce you with their charms. Guard your heart and your life.  Don't be naive. Be careful out there. Prayer "Holy Spirit, guard us and keep our eyes open that we may not be naive or caught off guard when the Enemy comes to distract or lead us astray. Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 7
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 7 The Wiles of the Harlot 1 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live, And my [a]teaching as the [b]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 understanding your intimate friend; 5 That they may keep you from an [c]adulteress, From the foreigner who [d]flatters with her words. 6 For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, 7 And I saw among the [e]naive, And discerned among the [f]youths A young man lacking [g]sense, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; And he [h]takes the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the [i]evening, In the [j]middle of the night and in the darkness. 10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. 11 She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; 12 She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner. 13 So she seizes him and kisses him [k]And with a brazen face she says to him: 14 “[l]I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. 15 “Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you. 16 “I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. 17 “I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 “Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses. 19 “For [m]my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey; 20 He has taken a bag of money [n]with him, At the full moon he will come home.” 21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her [o]flattering lips she seduces him. 22 Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as [p]one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, 23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths. 26 For many are the [q]victims she has cast down, And numerous are all her slain. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death. Footnotes: 1.            Proverbs 7:2 Or law 2.            Proverbs 7:2 Lit pupil 3.            Proverbs 7:5 Lit strange woman 4.            Proverbs 7:5 Lit is smooth 5.            Proverbs 7:7 Lit simple ones 6.            Proverbs 7:7 Lit sons 7.            Proverbs 7:7 Lit heart 8.            Proverbs 7:8 Lit steps 9.            Proverbs 7:9 Lit evening of the day 10.          Proverbs 7:9 Lit pupil (of the eye) 11.          Proverbs 7:13 Lit She makes bold her face and says 12.          Proverbs 7:14 Lit Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me 13.          Proverbs 7:19 Lit the man 14.          Proverbs 7:20 Lit in his hand 15.          Proverbs 7:21 Lit smooth 16.          Proverbs 7:22 Or as a stag goes into a trap; so some ancient versions 17.          Proverbs 7:26 Lit mortally wounded	Proverbs 7 The Dangerous Lies of Adultery 1-5 Child, hold on to what I say; always keep it with you.  Do it and you will live. The most important thing is to live this way. Let my advice be your constant reminder. Tattoo it on your heart saying, “Wisdom, you’re my sister and insight my closest friend,” so they will steer you clear of whores who would cheat and seduce you with their charms. 6-12 One day, I was looking out my window through the lattice and I saw this foolish guy with no sense.  He found her on the street corner where you can always find her. She took him up to her house. He went there as the sun was setting and found her after dark, dressed like a whore ready to drum up some more business. She pounces on her customers, a bold and pushy salesman, leaving her house to sell her body to whoever’s buying. 13-20 So she caught another one, grabbing and kissing him, saying with charming deceit, “I just came from church where I made an offering and said a vow, but I couldn't wait to come find you! I've decorated my place so pretty with exotic sheets and perfume. Sweet candles are burning and I have lotions and scented oils. Come to bed with me and we’ll make love all night. My husband’s gone and won't be back for a long time. He took money and won't be back until the next full moon.” 21-23 So in this way she catches him with her charming, sweet lips--hook, line, and sinker.  He hurried off with her like sheep led to slaughter, caught in the trap till his belly was slit open. He was like a mouse lured to a trap, not knowing he was about to meet his end. 24-27 Oh how I wish all my children would listen and pay attention to what I say! Don't let her deceive you! Don't go with her! She has wounded so many and slain even more. Her house is a gateway to hell, leading down to a dungeon of death.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs (PCP) Copyright © 2018 by Chris Mullis