\[9 - 7 \cdot (x + 3) = 5 - 4x\]
\[9 - 7x - 21 = 5 - 4x\]
\[- 7x + 4x = 5 + 12\]
\[- 3x = 17\]
\[x = - \frac{17}{3}\]
\[x = - 5\frac{2}{3}.\]