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 house9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.10 Then out came 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 home 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 [^2]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.

1 [Fili mi, custodi sermones meos,et prcepta mea reconde tibi.Fili, 2 serva mandata mea, et vives ;et legem meam quasi pupillam oculi tui :3 liga eam in digitis tuis,scribe illam in tabulis cordis tui.4 Dic sapienti : Soror mea es,et prudentiam voca amicam tuam :5 ut custodiant te a muliere extranea,et ab aliena qu verba sua dulcis facit.6 De fenestra enim domus meper cancellos prospexi,7 et video parvulos ;considero vecordem juvenem,8 qui transit per plateam juxta angulumet prope viam domus illius graditur :9 in obscuro, advesperascente die,in noctis tenebris et caligine.10 Et ecce occurrit illi mulier ornatu meretricio,prparata ad capiendas animas :garrula et vaga,11 quietis impatiens,nec valens in domo consistere pedibus suis ;12 nunc foris, nunc in plateis,nunc juxta angulos insidians.13 Apprehensumque deosculatur juvenem,et procaci vultu blanditur, dicens :14 Victimas pro salute vovi ;hodie reddidi vota mea :15 idcirco egressa sum in occursum tuum,desiderans te videre, et reperi.16 Intexui funibus lectulum meum ;stravi tapetibus pietis ex gypto :17 aspersi cubile meum myrrha,et alo, et cinnamomo.18 Veni, inebriemur uberibus,et fruamur cupitis amplexibus donec illucescat dies.19 Non est enim vir in domo sua :abiit via longissima :20 sacculum pecuni secum tulit ;in die plen lun reversurus est in domum suam.21 Irretivit eum multis sermonibus,et blanditiis labiorum protraxit illum.22 Statim eam sequitur quasi bos ductus ad victimam,et quasi agnus lasciviens,et ignorans quod ad vincula stultus trahatur :23 donec transfigat sagitta jecur ejus,velut si avis festinet ad laqueum,et nescit quod de periculo anim illius agitur.24 Nunc ergo, fili mi, audi me,et attende verbis oris mei.25 Ne abstrahatur in viis illius mens tua,neque decipiaris semitis ejus ;26 multos enim vulneratos dejecit,et fortissimi quique interfecti sunt ab ea.27 Vi inferi domus ejus,penetrantes in interiora mortis.]