1 My son, if you listen closelyto my wisdom and good sense,
2 you will have sound judgment,and you will always knowthe right thing to say.
3 The words of an immoral womanmay be as sweet as honeyand as smooth as olive oil.
4 But all that you really getfrom being with heris bitter poison and pain.
5 If you follow her,she will lead you downto the world of the dead.
6 She has missed the paththat leads to lifeand doesn't even know it.
7 My son, listen to meand do everything I say.
8 Stay away from a bad woman!Don't even go near the doorof her house.
9 You will lose your self-respectand end up in debtto some cruel personfor the rest of your life.
10 Strangers will get your moneyand everything elseyou have worked for.
11 When it's all over,your body will waste away,as you groan
12 and shout,“I hated advice and correction!
13 I paid no attentionto my teachers,
14 and now I am disgracedin front of everyone.”
15 You should be faithfulto your wife,just as you take waterfrom your own well.
16 And don't be like a streamfrom which just any womanmay take a drink.
17 Save yourself for your wifeand don't have sexwith other women.
18 Be happy with the wifeyou marriedwhen you were young.
19 She is beautiful and graceful,just like a deer;you should be attracted to herand stay deeply in love.
20 Don't go mad over a womanwho is unfaithfulto her own husband!
21 The Lord sees everything,and he watches us closely.
22 Sinners are trapped and caughtby their own evil deeds.
23 They get lost and diebecause of their foolishnessand lack of self-control.