1 My son, keep my words,
And ^atreasure my commands within you. ‡

2 ^aKeep my commands and live,
^bAnd my law as the apple of your eye. ‡

3 ^aBind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart. ‡

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 ^aThat they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words. ‡

6 For at the window of my house
I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the¹ youths,
A young man ^adevoid of understanding, ‡

8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house

9 ^aIn the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night. ‡

10 And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 ^aShe was loud and rebellious,
^bHer feet would not stay at home. ‡

12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him;
With an¹ impudent face she said to him: ‡

14 “I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.