[1] My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands. [2] Keep my commands and live, and guard my instructions as you would the pupil of your eye. [3] Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your relative. [5] She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a wayward woman with her flattering talk. [6] At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. [7] I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. [8] Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house [9] at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. [10] A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. [11] She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home. [12] Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. [13] She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him, [14] "I've made fellowship offerings; today I've fulfilled my vows. [15] So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I've found you. [16] I've spread coverings on my bed- richly colored linen from Egypt. [17] I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. [18] Come, let's drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let's feast on each other's love! [19] My husband isn't home; he went on a long journey. [20] He took a bag of silver with him and will come home at the time of the full moon." [21] She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. [22] He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap [23] until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare- he doesn't know it will cost him his life. [24] Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. [25] Don't let your heart turn aside to her ways; don't stray onto her paths. [26] For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. [27] Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
