1My son, keep my words, store up my commands with you.
2Obey my commands, and live; guard my teaching like the pupil of your eye.
3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister"; call understanding your kinswoman;
5so that they can keep you from unknown women, from loose women with their seductive talk.
6For I was at the window of my house, glancing out through the lattice,
7when I saw among the young men there, among those who don't think for themselves, a young fellow devoid of all sense.
8He crosses the street near her corner and continues on toward her house.
9Dusk turns into evening, and finally night, dark and black.
10Then a woman approaches him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11She's the coarse, impulsive type, whose feet don't stay at home;
12rather, she stalks the streets and squares, lurking at every streetcorner.
13She grabs him, gives him a kiss, and, brazen-faced, she says to him,
14"I had to offer peace sacrifices, and I fulfilled my vows today.
15This is why I came out to meet you, to look for you; now I've found you.
16I've spread quilts on my couch made of colored Egyptian linen.
17I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18Come on, let's make love till morning; we'll enjoy making love.
19My husband isn't at home, he's gone on a long trip;
20he took a bag of money with him and won't be back till the moon is full."
21With all her sweet talk she convinces him, enticing him with her seductive words.
22At once he follows her like an ox on its way to be slaughtered; like a fool to be punished in the stocks;
23or like a bird rushing into a trap, not knowing its life is at stake till an arrow pierces its liver.
24So now, children, listen to me; pay attention to what I am saying.
25Don't let your heart turn to her ways; don't stray onto her paths.
26For many are those she has struck down dead, numerous those she has killed.
27Her house is the way to Sh'ol; it leads down to the halls of death.