[1] My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. [2] Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple 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 kinsman, [5] that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words. [6] For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. [7] I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, [8] crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, [9] at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night. [10] Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. [11] She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. [12] Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. [13] She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: [14] “I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows. [15] So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you. [16] I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. [17] I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. [18] Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! [19] For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. [20] He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.” [21] With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. [22] He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, [23] until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life. [24] Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend 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 brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. [27] Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
