that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:

To deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreigner who flatters with her words;

who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God:

for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead.

None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life:

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,

Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.

She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it.

Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house,

A loving doe and a graceful deer -- let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.

Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;

provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.

So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.

that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house.

With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths,

for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.

Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.

Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

Hear instruction, and be wise. Don't refuse it.

Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

But he doesn't know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!

for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.

restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.

"So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'

for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.

Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!