1 My son, obey my words. Store up my commands inside you.
2 Obey my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding a member of your family.
5 They will keep you from a woman who commits adultery. They will keep you from the smooth talk of a sinful wife.
6 I stood at the window of my house. I looked out through it.
7 Among those who were childish I saw a young man who had no sense.
8 He went down the street near that sinful woman's corner. He walked toward her house.
9 The sun had gone down. Day was fading. The darkness of night was falling.
10 A woman came out to meet him. She was dressed like a prostitute and had a clever plan.
11 She was a loud and pushy woman. She never stayed at home.
12 Sometimes in the streets, sometimes at other places, at every corner she would wait.
13 She took hold of the young man and kissed him. With a bold face she spoke to him.
14 She said, "At home I have meat left over from my offerings. Today I offered what I had promised I would.
15 So I came out to meet you. I looked for you. And I have found you!
16 I have covered my bed with colored sheets from Egypt.
17 I've perfumed my bed with spices. I used myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy ourselves by having sex!
19 My husband isn't home. He's gone on a long journey.
20 He took his bag full of money. He won't be home for several days."
21 She led him down the wrong path with her clever words. She charmed him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her. He was like an ox going to be killed. He was like a deer stepping into a trap
23 until an arrow struck its liver. He was like a bird rushing into a trap. Little did he know it would cost him his life!
24 My sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say.
25 Don't let your hearts turn to her ways. Don't step onto her paths.
26 She has brought down a lot of men. She has killed a huge crowd.