The Latin Vulgate VUL
New International Version NIV
1 fili mi adtende sapientiam meam et prudentiae meae inclina aurem tuam
1
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,
2 ut custodias cogitationes et disciplinam labia tua conservent
2
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 favus enim stillans labia meretricis et nitidius oleo guttur eius
3
For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 novissima autem illius amara quasi absinthium et acuta quasi gladius biceps
4
but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 pedes eius descendunt in mortem et ad inferos gressus illius penetrant
5
Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 per semitam vitae non ambulat vagi sunt gressus eius et investigabiles
6
She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
7 nunc ergo fili audi me et ne recedas a verbis oris mei
7
Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8 longe fac ab ea viam tuam et ne adpropinques foribus domus eius
8
Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
9 ne des alienis honorem tuum et annos tuos crudeli
9
lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel,
10 ne forte impleantur extranei viribus tuis et labores tui sint in domo aliena
10
lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.
11 et gemas in novissimis quando consumpseris carnes et corpus tuum et dicas
11
At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
12 cur detestatus sum disciplinam et increpationibus non adquievit cor meum
12
You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
13 nec audivi vocem docentium me et magistris non inclinavi aurem meam
13
I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.
14 paene fui in omni malo in medio ecclesiae et synagogae
14
And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”
15 bibe aquam de cisterna tua et fluenta putei tui
15
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 deriventur fontes tui foras et in plateis aquas tuas divide
16
Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17 habeto eas solus nec sint alieni participes tui
17
Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 sit vena tua benedicta et laetare cum muliere adulescentiae tuae
18
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 cerva carissima et gratissimus hinulus ubera eius inebrient te omni tempore in amore illius delectare iugiter
19
A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 quare seduceris fili mi ab aliena et foveris sinu alterius
20
Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21 respicit Dominus vias hominis et omnes gressus illius considerat
21
For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.
22 iniquitates suae capiunt impium et funibus peccatorum suorum constringitur
22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
23 ipse morietur quia non habuit disciplinam et multitudine stultitiae suae decipietur
23
For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.