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2Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call understanding your kinsman;

5they will keep you from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

6At the window of my house
I looked out through the lattice.

7I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who lacked judgment.

8He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house

9at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.

10Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11(She is loud and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;

12now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)

13She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:

14“I have fellowship offeringsTraditionally peace offerings at home;
today I fulfilled my vows.

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

18Come, let's drink deep of love till morning;
let's enjoy ourselves with love!

19My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.

20He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”

21With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deerSyriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool stepping into a nooseThe meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

23till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.

24Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.

25Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.

26Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.

27Her house is a highway to the grave,Hebrew Sheol
leading down to the chambers of death.