If they say, "Come with us! We will lie in wait to shed blood; we will ambush an innocent person capriciously.

for they are eager to inflict harm, and they hasten to shed blood.

Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas;

at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words:

She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her.

She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

Esteem her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

She will place a fair garland on your head; she will bestow a beautiful crown on you."

but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Lest she should make level the path leading to life, her paths are unstable but she does not know it.

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent.

(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home --

at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.)

So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him,

She persuaded him with persuasive words; with her smooth talk she compelled him.

for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many.

At the top of the elevated places along the way, at the intersection of the paths she takes her stand;

beside the gates opening into the city, at the entrance of the doorways she cries out:

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat, she has mixed her wine; she also has arranged her table.

She has sent out her female servants; she calls out on the highest places of the city.

"Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," she says to those who lack understanding.

The woman called Folly is brash, she is naive and does not know anything.

So she sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here," she says to those who lack understanding.

The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them.

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

May your father and your mother have joy; may she who bore you rejoice.

Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.

This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I have not done wrong."

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

She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.

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

She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.

She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.

She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.

She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

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

She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.