Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 7:22

ESV All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
NIV All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
NASB Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one walks in ankle bracelets to the discipline of a fool,
CSB He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap
NLT He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,
KJV He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

What does Proverbs 7:22 mean?

Solomon earlier referred to this young man as senseless (Proverbs 7:7). In response to temptation, this young man falls. After using various tactics (Proverbs 7:10–21), the predatory woman persuaded the foolish young man to follow her without further delay. He went to her home as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a stag gets caught in a trap. It is too late to escape! The difference between his fate and that of an ox and stag is this: he willingly entangles himself in the affair whereas the animals are unsuspecting. He is a fool, and he does not take into account that God judges sin.

Romans 6:23 assures us that "the wages of sin is death." Acts 5 records the sin of husband and wife Ananias and Sapphira. They purposely misrepresented their offering. Having sold a piece of property, Ananias, with his wife's knowledge, kept back for himself some of the proceeds and presented the money to the apostles as his offering. He could have kept the entire amount without sinning, but he hypocritically pretended his offering was the full amount of the sale. He paid for his hypocrisy by incurring the Lord's displeasure and death. Soon his wife met the same fate for joining in the hypocrisy (Acts 5:1–11).
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