[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my
understanding: [2] That you may maintain discretion, That your lips may
preserve knowledge. [3] For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her
mouth is smoother than oil, [4] But in the end she is as bitter as
wormwood, And as sharp as a two-edged sword. [5] Her feet go down to
death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. [6] She gives no thought to the
way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn`t know it. [7] Now
therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don`t depart from the words of my
mouth. [8] Remove your way far from her. Don`t come near the door of her
house, [9] Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the
cruel one; [10] Lest strangers feast on your wealth, And your labors
enrich another man`s house. [11] You will groan at your latter end, When
your flesh and your body are consumed, [12] And say, "How I have hated
instruction, And my heart despised reproof; [13] Neither have I obeyed
the voice of my teachers, Nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
[14] I have come to the brink of utter ruin, In the midst of the
gathered assembly." [15] Drink water out of your own cistern, Running
water out of your own well. [16] Should your springs overflow in the
streets, Streams of water in the public squares? [17] Let them be for
yourself alone, Not for strangers with you. [18] Let your spring be
blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. [19] A loving hind and a
pleasant doe -- Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be
captivated always with her love. [20] For why should you, my son, be
captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? [21]
For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his
paths. [22] The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his
sin hold him firmly. [23] He will die for lack of instruction. In the
greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
