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My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
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Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.
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Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin,
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That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.
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For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice,
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And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,
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Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house
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In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.
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And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
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She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.
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At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.
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So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:
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"I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.
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So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.
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I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
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I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
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Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.
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For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;
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He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day."
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With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.
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Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
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Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.
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Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
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Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;
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For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.
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Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.