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Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

1    My son, keep my words

         and store up my commands within you.

2    Keep my commands and you will live;

         guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3     Bind them on your fingers;

         write them on the tablet of your heart.

4    Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

          and to insight, “You are my relative.”

5    They will keep you from the adulterous woman,

           from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6    At the window of my house

           I looked down through the lattice.

7    I saw among the simple,

           I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.

8    He was going down the street near her corner,

           walking along in the direction of her house

9    at twilight, as the day was fading,

          as the dark of night set in.

10    Then out cam a woman to meet him,

           dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11    (She is unruly and defiant,

           her feet never stay at home;

12   now in the street, now in the squares,

           at every corner she lurks.)

13    She took hold of him and kissed him

           and with a brazen face she said:

14    “Today I fulfilled my vows,

           and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

15    So I came out to meet you;

           I looked for you and have found you!

16    I have covered my bed

           with colored linens from Egypt.

17    I have perfumed my bed

           with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18    Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;

           let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

19    My husband is not at home;

           he has gone on a long journey.

20    He took his purse filled with money

           and will not be back till full moon.”

21    With persuasive words she led him astray;

           she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22    All at once he followed her

           like an ox going to the slaughter
like a deer stepping into a noose

23    till an arrow pierces his liver,

           like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.

24    Now then, my sons, listen to me;

           pay attention to what I say.

25    Do not let your heart turn to her ways

           or stray into her paths.

26    Many are the victims she has brought down

           her slain are a mighty throng.

27    Her house is a highway to the grave,

           leading down to the chambers of death.