1My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. | 1My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. |
2Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession. | 2Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession. |
3Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart. |
4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative, | 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative, |
5so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words. | 5so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words. |
6For at the window of my house through my window lattice I looked out | 6For at the window of my house through my window lattice I looked out |
7and I saw among the naive--I discerned among the youths--a young man who lacked wisdom. | 7and I saw among the naive--I discerned among the youths--a young man who lacked wisdom. |
8He was passing by the street near her corner, making his way along the road to her house | 8He was passing by the street near her corner, making his way along the road to her house |
9in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of the night. | 9in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of the night. |
10Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. | 10Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. |
11(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home-- | 11(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home-- |
12at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.) | 12at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.) |
13So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, | 13So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, |
14"I have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! | 14"I have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! |
15That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you! | 15That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you! |
16I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, with richly colored fabric from Egypt. | 16I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, with richly colored fabric from Egypt. |
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. | 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. |
18Come, let's drink deeply of lovemaking until morning, let's delight ourselves with sexual intercourse. | 18Come, let's drink deeply of lovemaking until morning, let's delight ourselves with sexual intercourse. |
19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a journey of some distance. | 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a journey of some distance. |
20He has taken a bag of money with him; he will not return until the end of the month." | 20He has taken a bag of money with him; he will not return until the end of the month." |
21She persuaded him with persuasive words; with her smooth talk she compelled him. | 21She persuaded him with persuasive words; with her smooth talk she compelled him. |
22Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare | 22Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare |
23till an arrow pierces his liver--like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life. | 23till an arrow pierces his liver--like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life. |
24So now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words I speak. | 24So now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words I speak. |
25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways--do not wander into her pathways; | 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways--do not wander into her pathways; |
26for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many. | 26for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many. |
27Her house is the way to the grave, going down to the chambers of death. | 27Her house is the way to the grave, going down to the chambers of death. |
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