“With much seductive speech she persuades him”: “Seductive speech” renders a word that refers to convincing, influencing, persuasive talk. In 1.5 it is used of learning and in 4.2 of (good) teaching. In the context of this narrative it refers to speech or acts that are alluring, tempting, or enticing. “Persuades” translates a verb meaning to bend or turn and here refers to the woman’s turning the young man away from what he should do to what she wants him to do.

“With her smooth talk she compels him”: For “smooth talk” as alluring flattery see 2.16; 5.3; 6.24; and 7.5. “She compels” means she forces, pressures, or obliges him. It is not likely that he offered much resistance. Good News Translation says “he gave in.” Since the two lines are very similar in meaning, some translations combine them to say, for example, “She used sweet talk to persuade and arouse him.” Contemporary English Version says “she tricked him with all of her sweet talk and her flattery.”

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 .