1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. |
2 Keep my commands and live, And my law 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 nearest kin, |
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. |
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, |
7 And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, |
8 Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house |
9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. |
10 And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. |
11 She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. |
12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. |
13 So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: |
14 "I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. |
15 So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. |
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. |
17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. |
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. |
19 For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; |
20 He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day." |
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. |
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, |
23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. |
24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: |
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; |
26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. |
27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death. |