[1] My son, remember what I say, and treasure my commands. [2] Obey my commands, and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes. [3] Remind yourself of them; write them on your heart as if on a tablet. [4] Treat wisdom as a sister, and make understanding your closest friend. [5] Wisdom and understanding will keep you away from adultery, away from the unfaithful wife and her pleasing words. [6] Once while I was at the window of my house I looked out through the shutters [7] and saw some foolish, young men. I noticed one of them had no wisdom. [8] He was walking down the street near the corner on the road leading to her house. [9] It was the twilight of the evening; the darkness of the night was just beginning. [10] Then the woman approached him, dressed like a prostitute and planning to trick him. [11] She was loud and stubborn and never stayed at home. [12] She was always out in the streets or in the city squares, waiting around on the corners of the streets. [13] She grabbed him and kissed him. Without shame she said to him, [14] "I made my fellowship offering and took some of the meat home. Today I have kept my special promises. [15] So I have come out to meet you; I have been looking for you and have found you. [16] I have covered my bed with colored sheets from Egypt. [17] I have made my bed smell sweet with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. [18] Come, let's make love until morning. Let's enjoy each other's love. [19] My husband is not home; he has gone on a long trip. [20] He took a lot of money with him and won't be home for weeks." [21] By her clever words she made him give in; by her pleasing words she led him into doing wrong. [22] All at once he followed her, like an ox led to the butcher, like a deer caught in a trap [23] and shot through the liver with an arrow. Like a bird caught in a trap, he didn't know what he did would kill him. [24] Now, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. [25] Don't let yourself be tricked by such a woman; don't go where she leads you. [26] She has ruined many good men, and many have died because of her. [27] Her house is on the road to death, the road that leads down to the grave.
