Proverbs

¹⁹For the man is not at home; he is gone on a long journey; ²⁰He has taken a bag of money with him and will come home at the day appointed [at the full moon]. ²¹With much justifying and enticing argument she persuades him, with the allurements of her lips she leads him [to overcome his conscience and his fears] and forces him along. ²²Suddenly he [yields and] follows her reluctantly like an ox moving to the slaughter, like one in fetters going to the correction [to be given] to a fool or like a dog enticed by food to the muzzle ²³Till a dart [of passion] pierces and inflames his vitals; then like a bird fluttering straight into the net [he hastens], not knowing that it will cost him his life. ²⁴Listen to me now therefore, O you sons, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. ²⁵Let not your heart incline toward her ways, do not stray into her paths.