BROADCASTS.com

b'

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7 My son, keep my words
\\n and store up my commands within you.
\\n2 Keep my commands and you will live;
\\n guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
\\n3 Bind them on your fingers;
\\n write them on the tablet of your heart.
\\n4 Say to wisdom, \\u201cYou are my sister,\\u201d
\\n and to insight, \\u201cYou are my relative.\\u201d
\\n5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
\\n from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house
\\n I looked down through the lattice.
\\n7 I saw among the simple,
\\n I noticed among the young men,
\\n a youth who had no sense.
\\n8 He was going down the street near her corner,
\\n walking along in the direction of her house
\\n9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
\\n as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
\\n dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
\\n11 (She is unruly and defiant,
\\n her feet never stay at home;
\\n12 now in the street, now in the squares,
\\n at every corner she lurks.)
\\n13 She took hold of him and kissed him
\\n and with a brazen face she said:

14 \\u201cToday I fulfilled my vows,
\\n and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
\\n15 So I came out to meet you;
\\n I looked for you and have found you!
\\n16 I have covered my bed
\\n with colored linens from Egypt.
\\n17 I have perfumed my bed
\\n with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
\\n18 Come, let\\u2019s drink deeply of love till morning;
\\n let\\u2019s enjoy ourselves with love!
\\n19 My husband is not at home;
\\n he has gone on a long journey.
\\n20 He took his purse filled with money
\\n and will not be home till full moon.\\u201d

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
\\n she seduced him with her smooth talk.
\\n22 All at once he followed her
\\n like an ox going to the slaughter,
\\nlike a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]
\\n23  till an arrow pierces his liver,
\\nlike a bird darting into a snare,
\\n little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
\\n pay attention to what I say.
\\n25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
\\n or stray into her paths.
\\n26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
\\n her slain are a mighty throng.
\\n27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
\\n leading down to the chambers of death.