Warning against the forbidden woman

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WisdomDiscipline1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

WisdomSpeech2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

FamilyDesire3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

Desire4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Desire5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

Desire6She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Keep far from her path

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Discipline7Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

Desire8Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,

Desire9lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel,

DesireWealth10lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.

Desire11At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

Discipline12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

Discipline13I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.

Discipline14And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God`s people.”

Rejoice in the wife of your youth

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Family15Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

Family16Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

Family17Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

Family18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Family19A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

DesireFamily20Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man`s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?

Fear of Lord21For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.

Desire22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.

DisciplineDesire23For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

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