1 My son, keep my words,

Andtreasure my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and live,

And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “Youaremy sister,”

And call understandingyournearest kin,

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductresswhoflatters with her words.

The Crafty Harlot

6 For at the window of my house

I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple,

I perceived among the youths,

A young mandevoid of understanding,

8 Passing along the street near her corner;

And he took the path to her house

9 In the twilight, in the evening,

In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him,

Withthe attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 Shewasloud and rebellious,

Her feet would not stay at home.

12 At timesshewasoutside, at times in the open square,

Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him;

With an impudent face she said to him:

14 “Ihavepeace offerings with me;

Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you,

Diligently to seek your face,

And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,

Colored coverings ofEgyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;

Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husbandisnot at home;

He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him,

Andwill come home on the appointed day.”

21 Withher enticing speech she caused him to yield,

With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,

Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.

As a bird hastens to the snare,

He did not know itwouldcosthis life.

24 Now therefore, listen to me,mychildren;

Pay attention 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 cast down many wounded,

Andall who were slain by her were strongmen.

27 Her houseisthe way to hell,

Descending to the chambers of death.