7 I saw among the young men one without sense,
He who takes another man's wife is without all sense: he who does it is the cause of destruction to his soul.
How long, you simple ones, will foolish things be dear to you? and pride a delight to the haters of authority? how long will the foolish go on hating knowledge?
For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked. For all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and without knowledge of evil.
And he said, Are you, like them, still without wisdom?
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.
For my people are foolish, they have no knowledge of me; they are evil-minded children, without sense, all of them: they are wise in evil-doing, but have no knowledge of doing good.
I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense;
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.
Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
In the lips of him who has knowledge wisdom is seen; but a rod is ready for the back of him who is without sense.
Become expert in reason, O you simple ones; you foolish ones, take training to heart.
For the turning back of the simple from teaching will be the cause of their death, and the peace of the foolish will be their destruction.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 7
Commentary on Proverbs 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 7
Pr 7:1-27. The subject continued, by a delineation of the arts of strange women, as a caution to the unwary.
1-4. Similar calls (Pr 3:1-3; 4:10, &c.).
2. apple … eye—pupil of eye, a custody (Pr 4:23) of special value.
3. Bind … fingers—as inscriptions on rings.
5. The design of the teaching (compare Pr 2:16; 6:24).
6. For—or, "Since," introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent.
window—or, "opening"
looked—literally, "watched earnestly" (Jud 5:28).
casement—or, "lattice."
7. simple—as in Pr 1:4.
void of, &c.—(Compare Pr 6:32).
8. her corner—where she was usually found.
went … house—implying, perhaps, confidence in himself by his manner, as denoted in the word
went—literally, "tread pompously."
9. The time, twilight, ending in darkness.
black … night—literally, "pupil," or, "eye," that is, middle of night.
10. attire—that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.
subtile—or, "wary," "cunning."
11, 12. loud—or, "noisy," "bustling."
stubborn—not submissive.
without … streets, … corner—(Compare 1Ti 5:13; Tit 2:5).
13-15. The preparations for a feast do not necessarily imply peculiar religious professions. The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast (Le 3:9, &c.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it.
16, 17. my bed—or, "couch," adorned in the costliest manner.
17. bed—a place for sleeping.
18-20. There is no fear of discovery.
20. the day appointed—perhaps, literally, "a full moon," that is, a fortnight's time (compare Pr 7:19).
21. caused … yield—or, "inclines."
flattering—(Compare Pr 5:3).
forced him—by persuasion overcoming his scruples.
22. straightway—quickly, either as ignorant of danger, or incapable of resistance.
23. Till—He is now caught (Pr 6:26).
24. The inferential admonition is followed (Pr 7:26, 27), by a more general allegation of the evils of this vice.
26, 27. Even the mightiest fail to resist her deathly allurements.