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

Wisdom in an out-place crieth aloud, In broad places she giveth forth her voice,

At the head of the multitudes she calleth, In the openings of the gates, In the city her sayings she saith:

Precious she is above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her.

A tree of life she is to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her is happy.

Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.

Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.

She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.

Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she is thy life.

She doth prepare in summer her bread, She hath gathered in harvest her food.

Noisy she is, and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not.

Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait) --

And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him,

She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him.

For many are the wounded she caused to fall, And mighty are all her slain ones.

At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,

At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud,

Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.

She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.

She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:

Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- the high places of the city,

Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,

Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in,

Hearken to thy father, who begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she hath become old.

Rejoice doth thy father and thy mother, Yea, she that bare thee is joyful.

She also, as catching prey, lieth in wait, And the treacherous among men she increaseth.

So -- the way of an adulterous woman, She hath eaten and hath wiped her mouth, And hath said, 'I have not done iniquity.'

For a hated one when she ruleth, And a maid-servant when she succeedeth her mistress.

She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.

She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh with her hands.

She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.

Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.

She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.

She hath perceived when her merchandise is good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.

Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.

She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple are her clothing.

Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.

Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

She is watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.

The grace is false, and the beauty is vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.