1My son, remember my words and treasure my commands within you.
2Keep my commands and live! Guard my teaching as carefully as you guard your own eyes.
3Tie them on your fingers; write them on your heart.
4Tell wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your close friend,
5so they may protect you from an immoral woman, from a foreigner who uses flattering words.
6One day, from the window of my house, I looked out through the screen.
7I noticed among the naive young men, one who lacked common sense.
8He was walking down the street near her corner, heading toward her house.
9at twilight, in the evening, in the middle of the night, and in the darkness.
10Suddenly, a woman approached him dressed like a prostitute, and with a hidden agenda.
11She is loud and rebellious. She can't stay at home.
12Now she's in the streets, now in the public squares, lurking on every street corner.
13So she grabbed him and kissed him. With a bold face, she said to him:
14“I have peace offerings with me. Today I have fulfilled my promises to God.
15That’s why I came out to meet you, to eagerly look for you, and I have found you.
16I have covered my bed with rich tapestries, with colorful linens from Egypt.
17I have made my bed fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18Come, let’s make love until morning. Let’s enjoy ourselves with loving.
19Because my husband isn't home. He has gone on a long trip.
20He took a bag of money with him. He won't be home until the full moon.”
21With her tempting words, she led him astray. With her smooth talk, she seduced him.
22He immediately followed her, like an ox going to be slaughtered, like a fool stepping into a trap.
23He was like a bird rushing into a snare, not knowing it would cost him his life, until an arrow pierced his liver.
24So now, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say.
25Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t wander onto her paths,
26because she has caused many to fall, wounded. Indeed, a great number have been killed by her.
27Her house is a path to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.