• 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.

  • 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 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.