| 1 | My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. | |
| 2 | Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. | |
| 3 | Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. | |
| 4 | Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman; | |
| 5 | they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. | |
| 6 | At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. | |
| 7 | I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. | |
| 8 | He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house | |
| 9 | at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. | |
| 10 | Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. | |
| 11 | (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; | |
| 12 | now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) | |
| 13 | She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: | |
| 14 | "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. | |
| 15 | So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! | |
| 16 | I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. | |
| 17 | I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. | |
| 18 | Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! | |
| 19 | My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. | |
| 20 | He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." | |
| 21 | With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. | |
| 22 | All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose | |
| 23 | till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. | |
| 24 | Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. | |
| 25 | Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. | |
| 26 | Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. | |
| 27 | Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. | |