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.