If they say, “Come with us;
Let us lie in wait to shed blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

For their feet run to evil,
And they hurry to shed blood.

Wisdom shouts in the street,
She raises her voice in the markets;

She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather];
At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.

“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.

“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.”

Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.

But in the end she is bitter like [the extract of] wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.

So that she does not think [seriously] about the path of life;
Her ways are aimless and unstable; you cannot know where her path leads.

A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

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

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

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.

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

Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;
She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.

She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table.

She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the highest places of the city:

The foolish woman is restless and noisy;
She is naive and easily misled and thoughtless, and knows nothing at all [of eternal value].

She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high and conspicuous places of the city,

“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks understanding (common sense), she says,

A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.

Listen to your father, who sired you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.

She lurks and lies in wait like a robber [who waits for prey],
And she increases the faithless among men.

Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.

This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth
And says, “I have done no wrong.”

Under an unloved woman when she gets married,
And under a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.

An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.

She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.

She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.

She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.