1My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Open your ears to my understanding

2so that you may act with foresight and speak with insight.

3The lips of an adulterous woman drip with honey. Her kiss is smoother than oil,

4but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, as sharp as a two-edged sword.

5Her feet descend to death. Her steps lead straight to hell.

6She doesn't even think about the path of life. Her steps wander, and she doesn't realize it.

7But now, sons, listen to me, and do not turn away from what I say to you.

8Stay far away from her. Do not even go near her door.

9Either you will surrender your reputation to others and [the rest of] your years to some cruel person,

10or strangers will benefit from your strength and you will have to work hard in a pagan's house.

11Then you will groan when your end comes, when your body and flesh are consumed. You will say,

12"Oh, how I hated discipline! How my heart despised correction!

13I didn't listen to what my teachers said to me, nor did I keep my ear open to my instructors.

14I almost reached total ruin in the assembly and in the congregation."

15Drink water out of your own cistern and running water from your own well.

16Why should water flow out of your spring? Why should your streams flow into the streets?

17They should be yours alone, so do not share them with strangers.

18Let your own fountain be blessed, and enjoy the girl you married when you were young,

19a loving doe and a graceful deer. Always let her breasts satisfy you. Always be intoxicated with her love.

20Why should you, my son, be intoxicated with an adulterous woman and fondle a loose woman's breast?

21Each person's ways are clearly seen by the LORD, and he surveys all his actions.

22A wicked person will be trapped by his own wrongs, and he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin.

23He will die for his lack of discipline and stumble around because of his great stupidity.