1My child, be attentive to my wisdom, pay close attention to my understanding, | 1My child, be attentive to my wisdom, pay close attention to my understanding, |
2in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge. | 2in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge. |
3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil, | 3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil, |
4but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. | 4but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. |
5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. | 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. |
6Lest she should make level the path leading to life, her paths are unstable but she does not know it. | 6Lest she should make level the path leading to life, her paths are unstable but she does not know it. |
7So now, children, listen to me; do not turn aside from the words I speak. | 7So now, children, listen to me; do not turn aside from the words I speak. |
8Keep yourself far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, | 8Keep yourself far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, |
9lest you give your vigor to others and your years to a cruel person, | 9lest you give your vigor to others and your years to a cruel person, |
10lest strangers devour your strength, and your labor benefit another man's house. | 10lest strangers devour your strength, and your labor benefit another man's house. |
11And at the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are wasted away. | 11And at the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are wasted away. |
12And you will say, "How I hated discipline! My heart spurned reproof! | 12And you will say, "How I hated discipline! My heart spurned reproof! |
13For I did not obey my teachers and I did not heed my instructors. | 13For I did not obey my teachers and I did not heed my instructors. |
14I almost came to complete ruin in the midst of the whole congregation!" | 14I almost came to complete ruin in the midst of the whole congregation!" |
15Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well. | 15Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well. |
16Should your springs be dispersed outside, your streams of water in the wide plazas? | 16Should your springs be dispersed outside, your streams of water in the wide plazas? |
17Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. | 17Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. |
18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in your young wife-- | 18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in your young wife-- |
19a loving doe, a graceful deer; may her breasts satisfy you at all times, may you be captivated by her love always. | 19a loving doe, a graceful deer; may her breasts satisfy you at all times, may you be captivated by her love always. |
20But why should you be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, and embrace the bosom of a different woman? | 20But why should you be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, and embrace the bosom of a different woman? |
21For the ways of a person are in front of the LORD's eyes, and the LORD weighs all that person's paths. | 21For the ways of a person are in front of the LORD's eyes, and the LORD weighs all that person's paths. |
22The wicked will be captured by his own iniquities, and he will be held by the cords of his own sin. | 22The wicked will be captured by his own iniquities, and he will be held by the cords of his own sin. |
23He will die because there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly he will reel. | 23He will die because there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly he will reel. |
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