| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. | 1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. |
| 2Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession. | 2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. |
| 3Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. |
| 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative, | 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative." |
| 5so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words. | 5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. |
| 6For at the window of my house through my window lattice I looked out | 6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. |
| 7and I saw among the naive--I discerned among the youths--a young man who lacked wisdom. | 7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. |
| 8He was passing by the street near her corner, making his way along the road to her house | 8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house |
| 9in the twilight, the evening, in the dark of the night. | 9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. |
| 10Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent. | 10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. |
| 11(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home-- | 11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; |
| 12at one time outside, at another in the wide plazas, and by every corner she lies in wait.) | 12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) |
| 13So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression she said to him, | 13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: |
| 14"I have fresh meat at home; today I have fulfilled my vows! | 14"Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. |
| 15That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you! | 15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! |
| 16I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, with richly colored fabric from Egypt. | 16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. |
| 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. | 17I have 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 drink deeply of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! |
| 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a journey of some distance. | 19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. |
| 20He has taken a bag of money with him; he will not return until the end of the month." | 20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." |
| 21She persuaded him with persuasive words; with her smooth talk she compelled him. | 21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. |
| 22Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare | 22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose |
| 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. | 23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. |
| 24So now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words I speak. | 24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. |
| 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways--do not wander into her pathways; | 25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. |
| 26for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many. | 26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. |
| 27Her house is the way to the grave, going down to the chambers of death. | 27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. |
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