6:25

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning. Both lines are a warning to avoid being seduced by the woman’s charms. In the second line, “eyes” is a specific example of the woman’s beauty.

25a
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty

25b
or let her captivate you with her eyes,

6:25a

Do not lust in your heart for her beauty: The word lust means “to desire” sexually. In some languages, in your heart may need to be expressed by “in your mind/thoughts.” It may also be more natural to leave this phrase implicit. For example:

Don’t lust for her beauty (New Living Translation (2004))

The New Century Version expresses the meaning of this clause in a different way:

Don’t desire her because she is beautiful. (New Century Version)

6:25b

or let her captivate you: In this context, the word captivate means to seduce or lead astray.

with her eyes: In Hebrew, the word eyes is literally “eyelids.” The New Revised Standard Version translates it as “eye lashes.” It is probably a figure of speech (metonymy) that represents the flirting glances, bold stares, or winking used by the woman to seduce someone. For example:

don’t be trapped by their flirting eyes (Good News Translation)

The New Century Version expresses the thought in more general terms:

Don’t let her capture you by the way she looks at you. (New Century Version)

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