Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house

at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.

Now in the street, now in the squares,
she lurks at every corner.

A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,
having a hidden agenda.

She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says to him,

She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering talk.

She is loud and defiant;
her feet do not stay at home.

My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.

“I’ve made fellowship offerings;
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.

I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.
Let’s feast on each other’s love!

He follows her impulsively
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer bounding toward a trap

So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.

Keep my commands and live;
protect my teachings
as the pupil of your eye.

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

Her house is the road to Sheol,
descending to the chambers of death.

She will keep you from a forbidden woman,
a stranger with her flattering talk.

At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.

I’ve spread coverings on my bed—
richly colored linen from Egypt.

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call understanding your relative.

until an arrow pierces its liver,
like a bird darting into a snare—
he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.

He took a bag of money with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”

I saw among the inexperienced,
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.

My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.

Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;
don’t stray onto her paths.

For she has brought many down to death;
her victims are countless.

Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.