18“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
         Let us delight ourselves with caresses.

19“For my husband is not at home,
         He has gone on a long journey;

20He has taken a bag of money with him,
         At the full moon he will come home.”

21With her many persuasions she entices him;
         With her flattering lips she seduces him.

22Suddenly he follows her
         As an ox goes to the slaughter,
         Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,

23Until an arrow pierces through his liver;
         As a bird hastens to the snare,
         So he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
         And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
         Do not stray into her paths.

26For many are the victims she has cast down,
         And numerous are all her slain.

27Her house is the way to Sheol,
         Descending to the chambers of death.

NASB ©1995