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.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of ^aEgyptian linen. ‡

17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For¹ my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey; ‡

20 He has taken a bag of money¹ with him,
And will come home¹ on the appointed day.” ‡

21 With ^aher enticing speech she caused him to yield,
^bWith her flattering lips she¹ seduced him. ‡

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or¹ as a fool to the correction of the² stocks, ‡

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
^aAs a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it¹ would cost his life. ‡

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;

26 For she has cast down many wounded,
And ^aall who were slain by her were strong men. ‡

27 ^aHer house is the way to¹ hell,
Descending to the chambers of death. ‡