| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. | 1My son, guard what I say and treasure my commands. |
| 2Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession. | 2Keep my commands and you'll live. Guard my teaching as you do your eyesight. |
| 3Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Strap them to your fingers and engrave them on the tablet of your heart. |
| 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative, | 4Say to wisdom, "You're my sister!" and call understanding your close relative, |
| 5so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words. | 5so they can keep you from an adulterous woman, from the immoral woman with her seductive words. |
| 6For at the window of my house through my window lattice I looked out | 6For from a window in my house I peered through the lattice work, |
| 7and I saw among the naive--I discerned among the youths--a young man who lacked wisdom. | 7and I noticed among the naïve— that is, I discerned among the youths— a senseless young man. |
| 8He was passing by the street near her corner, making his way along the road to her house | 8Proceeding down the street near her corner, he makes his way toward her house |
| 9in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of the night. | 9at twilight, during the evening, even during the darkest part of the night. |
| 10Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. | 10Look! A woman makes her way to meet him, dressed as a prostitute and intending to entrap him. |
| 11(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home-- | 11She is brazen and defiant— her feet don't remain at home. |
| 12at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.) | 12Now she is in the street, now in the plazas, she lurks near every corner. |
| 13So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, | 13So she grabs hold of him and kisses him, with a brazen face she speaks to him, |
| 14"I have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! | 14"I have given my peace offerings, and today I fulfilled my vows. |
| 15That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you! | 15Therefore, I've come out to meet you, I've looked just for you, and I found you! |
| 16I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, with richly colored fabric from Egypt. | 16I've decorated my bed with new coverings— embroidered linen from Egypt. |
| 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. | 17I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. |
| 18Come, let's drink deeply of lovemaking until morning, let's delight ourselves with sexual intercourse. | 18Come, let's make love until dawn; let's comfort ourselves with love, |
| 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a journey of some distance. | 19because my husband isn't home. He left on a long trip. |
| 20He has taken a bag of money with him; he will not return until the end of the month." | 20He took a fist full of cash and he'll return home in a month." |
| 21She persuaded him with persuasive words; with her smooth talk she compelled him. | 21She leads him astray with great persuasion; with flattering lips she seduces him. |
| 22Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare | 22All of a sudden he follows her like an ox fit for slaughter or like a fool fit for a trap |
| 23till an arrow pierces his liver--like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life. | 23until an arrow pierces his liver. As a bird darts into a snare, he doesn't realize his fatal decision. |
| 24So now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words I speak. | 24So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to what I have to say. |
| 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways--do not wander into her pathways; | 25Don't be led astray by her lifestyle, and don't imitate her behavior. |
| 26for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many. | 26For many are the victims whom she has conquered, and many are her slain. |
| 27Her house is the way to the grave, going down to the chambers of death. | 27Her house leads to Sheol, descending to death's catacombs. |
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