In Hebrew this verse begins with the same expression as verse 12.

“You will be saved from the loose woman”: The passive construction in Revised Standard Version may be changed to the active, as the Hebrew may be read “She will save, deliver, rescue you” or “Wisdom will save you.” Another expression of the meaning of “be saved from” is given by some translations: “You will be able to reject . . . the woman.”

“Loose woman”: Note that the Revised Standard Version footnote says “strange.” “Strange” has been understood to mean “ethnically foreign,” “married to someone else,” “shameless,” or “adulterous.” However, verses 17-19 describe a woman who has broken away from the restraints of her own husband and community and has become free to satisfy her own desires without regard for the consequences. Many societies use a word for “prostitute” that includes a woman in these conditions. Other languages will refer to such a person as a bad woman or a woman who walks anywhere. Contemporary English Version calls her “a sinful woman” and Good News Translation says “any immoral woman.”

“From the adventuress with her smooth words”: “Adventuress”, as the Revised Standard Version footnote shows, is literally “foreign woman,” and this term matches the sense of “loose woman” in the first line.

“Smooth words”: In Psa 55.21 “smoother than butter” refers to a person who speaks hypocritically. However, here in verse 16 “smooth words” are flattering, seductive, beguiling, enticing words. If “loose woman” refers to an ethnically foreign woman as some interpreters suggest, the “smooth words” may refer to the foreign accent of the woman.

Bible en français courant gives a good model translation for verse 16: “In this way you will avoid being seduced by the flattering words of a woman who is not yours.”

Since the situation described in this verse is something that is possible rather than a present situation, some translations restructure the verse to say, for example, “If a woman [who is another man’s wife] wants to seduce you with her smooth talk, then wisdom will protect you and you will not do what she says.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .