[1] My child, pay attention and listen to my wisdom and insight. [2] Then you will know how to behave properly, and your words will show that you have knowledge. [3] The lips of another man's wife may be as sweet as honey and her kisses as smooth as olive oil, [4] but when it is all over, she leaves you nothing but bitterness and pain. [5] She will take you down to the world of the dead; the road she walks is the road to death. [6] She does not stay on the road to life; but wanders off, and does not realize what is happening. [7] Now listen to me, sons, and never forget what I am saying. [8] Keep away from such a woman! Don't even go near her door! [9] If you do, others will gain the respect that you once had, and you will die young at the hands of merciless people. [10] Yes, strangers will take all your wealth, and what you have worked for will belong to someone else. [11] You will lie groaning on your deathbed, your flesh and muscles being eaten away, [12] and you will say, "Why would I never learn? Why would I never let anyone correct me? [13] I wouldn't listen to my teachers. I paid no attention to them. [14] And suddenly I found myself publicly disgraced." [15] Be faithful to your own wife and give your love to her alone. [16] Children that you have by other women will do you no good. [17] Your children should grow up to help you, not strangers. [18] So be happy with your wife and find your joy with the woman you married- [19] pretty and graceful as a deer. Let her charms keep you happy; let her surround you with her love. [20] Son, why should you give your love to another woman? Why should you prefer the charms of another man's wife? [21] The LORD sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching. [22] The sins of the wicked are a trap. They get caught in the net of their own sin. [23] They die because they have no self-control. Their utter stupidity will send them to their graves.
