[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Open your ears to my understanding [2] so that you may act with foresight and speak with insight. [3] The lips of an adulterous woman drip with honey. Her kiss is smoother than oil, [4] but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, as sharp as a two-edged sword. [5] Her feet descend to death. Her steps lead straight to hell. [6] She doesn't even think about the path of life. Her steps wander, and she doesn't realize it. [7] But now, sons, listen to me, and do not turn away from what I say to you. [8] Stay far away from her. Do not even go near her door. [9] Either you will surrender your reputation to others and the rest of your years to some cruel person, [10] or strangers will benefit from your strength and you will have to work hard in a pagan's house. [11] Then you will groan when your end comes, when your body and flesh are consumed. You will say, [12] "Oh, how I hated discipline! How my heart despised correction! [13] I didn't listen to what my teachers said to me, nor did I keep my ear open to my instructors. [14] I almost reached total ruin in the assembly and in the congregation." [15] Drink water out of your own cistern and running water from your own well. [16] Why should water flow out of your spring? Why should your streams flow into the streets? [17] They should be yours alone, so do not share them with strangers. [18] Let your own fountain be blessed, and enjoy the girl you married when you were young, [19] a loving doe and a graceful deer. Always let her breasts satisfy you. Always be intoxicated with her love. [20] Why should you, my son, be intoxicated with an adulterous woman and fondle a loose woman's breast? [21] Each person's ways are clearly seen by the LORD, and he surveys all his actions. [22] A wicked person will be trapped by his own wrongs, and he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin. [23] He will die for his lack of discipline and stumble around because of his great stupidity.
