1 M y son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
2 K eep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 B ind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 S ay to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 T hat they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. The Crafty Harlot
6 F or at the window of my house I looked through my lattice,
7 A nd saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,
8 P assing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house
9 I n the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.
10 A nd there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 S he was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.
12 A t times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.
13 S o 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 S o 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 C ome, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 F or my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;
20 H e has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.”
21 W ith her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 I mmediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 T ill an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.
24 N ow therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 D o not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;
26 F or she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 H er house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.