Passing through the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house

In the twilight, in the evening;
In the black and dark night.

At times she was in the streets, at times in the market places,
Lurking and setting her ambush at every corner.

And there a woman met him,
Dressed as a prostitute and sly and cunning of heart.

So she caught him and kissed him
And with a brazen and impudent face she said to him:

With her many persuasions she caused him to yield;
With her flattering lips she seduced him.

She was boisterous and rebellious;
She would not stay at home.

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

“I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.

“I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
Let us console and delight ourselves with love.

Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],
Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,

“So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],
Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.

Keep my commandments and live,
And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye.

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

For at the window of my house
I looked out through my lattice.

“I have spread my couch with coverings and cushions of tapestry,
With colored fine linen of Egypt.

Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;

Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.

He has taken a bag of money with him,
And he will come home on the appointed day.”

And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],
I saw among the youths
A young man lacking [good] sense,

“For my husband is not at home.
He has gone on a long journey;

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her [evil, immoral] paths.

For she has cast down many [mortally] wounded;
Indeed, all who were killed by her were strong.

Bind them [securely] on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.