1My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
3Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
4Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
5Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
6Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
7Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
8Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
9That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
10That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
11¶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
12¶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
13And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,7.7 the youths: Heb. the sons
14And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,7.7 the youths: Heb. the sons
15Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
16Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
17In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:7.9 in the evening: Heb. in the evening of days
18In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:7.9 in the evening: Heb. in the evening of days
19And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
20And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
21(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
22(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
23Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
24Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
25So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,7.13 with…: Heb. she strengthened her face and said
26So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,7.13 with…: Heb. she strengthened her face and said
27I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.7.14 I have…: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me
28I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.7.14 I have…: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me
29Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
30Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
31I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
32I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
33I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
34I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
35Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
36Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
37For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
38For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
39He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.7.20 with…: Heb. in his hand7.20 the day…: or, the new moon
40He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.7.20 with…: Heb. in his hand7.20 the day…: or, the new moon
41With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
42With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
43He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;7.22 straightway: Heb. suddenly
44He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;7.22 straightway: Heb. suddenly
45Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
46Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
47¶ Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
48¶ Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
49Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
50Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
51For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
52For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
53Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
54Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.