1 |
My son, keep my words, And treasure 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, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,
|
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 lattice,
|
7 |
And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid 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, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
|
11 |
She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.
|
12 |
At times she was outside, 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 |
“I have peace 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 of Egyptian 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 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 on the appointed day.”
|
21 |
With her 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 it would cost his life.
|
24 |
Now therefore, listen to me, my children; 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, And all who were slain by her were strong men.
|
27 |
Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.
|