For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Wisdom cries aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open square:

She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying,

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retains her.

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you.

Exalt her, and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her.

She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your life.

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Now is she outside, now in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner.)

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she seduced him.

For she has cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance at the doors.

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:

She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also furnished her table.

She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city,

Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him,

A foolish woman is boisterous: she is simple, and knows nothing.

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

Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him,

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is like rottenness in his bones.

Hearken unto your father that begat you, and despise not your mother when she is old.

Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she that bore you shall rejoice.

She also lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the unfaithful among men.

This is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.

For an unloved woman when she is married; and a maidservant that is heir to her mistress.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidservants.

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

She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good: her lamp goes not out by night.

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

She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth 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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers sashes unto the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.