[1] My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments within you. [2] Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. [3] Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinswoman, [5] that they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words. [6] For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, [7] and saw among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, [8] passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house [9] in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. [10] And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart. [11] She is loud and stubborn; her feet do not abide in her house. [12] Now she is without, now in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner. [13] So she caught him, and kissed him; and with an impudent face said to him: [14] "I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. [15] Therefore I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you. [16] I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. [17] I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. [18] Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with love. [19] For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; [20] he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed." [21] With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she seduced him. [22] He went after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, [23] until a dart struck through his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know that it would cost him his life. [24] Listen to me now therefore, O children, and attend to the words of my mouth: [25] do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not go astray in her paths; [26] for she has cast down many wounded, and many strong men have been slain by her. [27] Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
