New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. | 1My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. |
2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. | 2Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. |
3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. |
4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative." | 4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, |
5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. | 5that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words. |
6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. | 6For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. |
7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. | 7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, |
8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house | 8crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, |
9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. | 9at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night. |
10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. | 10Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. |
11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; | 11She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. |
12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) | 12Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. |
13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: | 13She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: |
14"Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. | 14“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows. |
15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! | 15So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you. |
16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. | 16I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. |
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. | 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. |
18Come, let's drink deeply of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! | 18Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! |
19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. | 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. |
20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." | 20He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.” |
21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. | 21With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. |
22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose | 22He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, |
23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. | 23until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life. |
24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. | 24Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. |
25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. | 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. |
26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. | 26For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. |
27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. | 27Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. |
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