6 For at the window of my house,

through my lattice, I looked down.

7 And I saw among the simple,

I observed among the youth,

a young man lacking ⌊sense⌋,g

8 passing on the street ⌊at⌋h her corner,

and he takes the road to her house,

9 at twilight, at the day’s evening,

in the midst of night and the darkness.

10 Then behold! A woman comes to meet him

with the garment of a prostitutei and ⌊a secret heart⌋.j

11 She is loud and stubborn;

her feet do not stay at her house.

12 Now in the street, now in the square,

⌊at⌋k every corner she lies in wait.

13 She took hold of l him and kissed him.

Her face was impudent, and she said to him,

14 “Sacrifices of peace offerings are upon me;

⌊today⌋m I completed my vows.

15 Son I have come out to meet you,

to seek your face, and I have found you.

16 With coverings I have adorned my couch,

spreads of the linen of Egypt;

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,

aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love making,

until the morning let us delight in love.

19 For there is no mano in his home;

he has gone on a ⌊long journey⌋.p

20 The bag of money he took in his hand,

for on the day of the full moon he will come home.”

21 She persuades him with the greatness of her teachings;

with her smooth lips she compels him.

22 He goes after her suddenly;

like an ox to the slaughter he goes,

and like a stag to the instruction of a fool,

23 until an arrow pierces his ⌊entrails⌋,q

like a bird rushing into a snare,

but he does not know that ⌊it will cost him his life⌋.r

Reiteration of the Warning Against a Strange Woman

24 And now, my children, listen to me,

and be attentive to the sayings of my mouth.

25 May your heart not turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her path.

26 For many slain she has laid low,

and countlesss are all of her killings.

27 The ways of Sheolt are her house,

descending to chambers of death.

Wisdom Calls

8 Does not wisdom call,

and understanding raise its voice?

2 ⌊Atop the heights⌋a beside the road,

at the crossroads she stands.

3 Beside gates, before towns,

at the entrance of doors, she cries out:

4 “To you, O ⌊people⌋,b I call,

and my cry is to the children of humankind.

5 Learn prudence, O simple ones;

fools, learn ⌊intelligence⌋.c

6 Listen! For noble things I will speak,

and upright things from the opening of my lips.

7 My mouth will utter truth,

and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All sayings of my mouth are in righteousness;

none of them are twisted and crooked.

9 All of them are straight to him who understands,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

10 Take my teaching and not silver;

may you choose knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than jewels,

and all desires shall not compare with her.

12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,

pride, and arrogance and an evil way.

And I hate a mouth of perversity.

14 ⌊Advice and sound judgment⌋d are mine;

I am understanding, ⌊strength is mine⌋.e

15 By me kings reign,

and rulers decree righteousness.

16 By me rulers rule,

and nobles—all judges of righteousness.

17 I love ⌊those who love me⌋,f

and those who seek me diligently shall find me.

18 Fortune and glory are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold,g even refined gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

20 In the way of righteousness I walk,

in the midst of paths of justice,

21 in order to endow those who love me with wealth,

and I will fill their treasuries.