1 My son, keep my words,
# Andtreasure 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, “Youaremy sister,”
And call understandingyournearest kin,
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductresswhoflatters with her words.
The Crafty Harlot
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 mandevoid 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,
Withthe attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 Shewasloud and rebellious,
# Her feet would not stay at home.
12 At timesshewasoutside, 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 “Ihavepeace 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 ofEgyptian 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 husbandisnot at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him,
Andwill come home on the appointed day.”
21 Withher 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 itwouldcosthis life.
24 Now therefore, listen to me,mychildren;
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,
# Andall who were slain by her were strongmen.
27 Her houseisthe way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.