The Latin Vulgate VUL
New Century Version NCV
1 fili mi adtende sapientiam meam et prudentiae meae inclina aurem tuam
1
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen to my words of understanding.
2 ut custodias cogitationes et disciplinam labia tua conservent
2
Be careful to use good sense, and watch what you say.
3 favus enim stillans labia meretricis et nitidius oleo guttur eius
3
The words of another man's wife may seem sweet as honey; they may be as smooth as olive oil.
4 novissima autem illius amara quasi absinthium et acuta quasi gladius biceps
4
But in the end she will bring you sorrow, causing you pain like a two-edged sword.
5 pedes eius descendunt in mortem et ad inferos gressus illius penetrant
5
She is on the way to death; her steps are headed straight to the grave.
6 per semitam vitae non ambulat vagi sunt gressus eius et investigabiles
6
She gives little thought to life. She doesn't even know that her ways are wrong.
7 nunc ergo fili audi me et ne recedas a verbis oris mei
7
Now, my sons, listen to me, and don't ignore what I say.
8 longe fac ab ea viam tuam et ne adpropinques foribus domus eius
8
Stay away from such a woman. Don't even go near the door of her house,
9 ne des alienis honorem tuum et annos tuos crudeli
9
or you will give your riches to others, and the best years of your life will be given to someone cruel.
10 ne forte impleantur extranei viribus tuis et labores tui sint in domo aliena
10
Strangers will enjoy your wealth, and what you worked so hard for will go to someone else.
11 et gemas in novissimis quando consumpseris carnes et corpus tuum et dicas
11
You will groan at the end of your life when your health is gone.
12 cur detestatus sum disciplinam et increpationibus non adquievit cor meum
12
Then you will say, "I hated being told what to do! I would not listen to correction!
13 nec audivi vocem docentium me et magistris non inclinavi aurem meam
13
I would not listen to my teachers or pay attention to my instructors.
14 paene fui in omni malo in medio ecclesiae et synagogae
14
I came close to being completely ruined in front of a whole group of people."
15 bibe aquam de cisterna tua et fluenta putei tui
15
Be faithful to your own wife, just as you drink water from your own well.
16 deriventur fontes tui foras et in plateis aquas tuas divide
16
Don't pour your water in the streets; don't give your love to just any woman.
17 habeto eas solus nec sint alieni participes tui
17
These things are yours alone and shouldn't be shared with strangers.
18 sit vena tua benedicta et laetare cum muliere adulescentiae tuae
18
Be happy with the wife you married when you were young. She gives you joy, as your fountain gives you water.
19 cerva carissima et gratissimus hinulus ubera eius inebrient te omni tempore in amore illius delectare iugiter
19
She is as lovely and graceful as a deer. Let her love always make you happy; let her love always hold you captive.
20 quare seduceris fili mi ab aliena et foveris sinu alterius
20
My son, don't be held captive by a woman who takes part in adultery. Don't hug another man's wife.
21 respicit Dominus vias hominis et omnes gressus illius considerat
21
The Lord sees everything you do, and he watches where you go.
22 iniquitates suae capiunt impium et funibus peccatorum suorum constringitur
22
An evil man will be caught in his wicked ways; the ropes of his sins will tie him up.
23 ipse morietur quia non habuit disciplinam et multitudine stultitiae suae decipietur
23
He will die because he does not control himself, and he will be held captive by his foolishness.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.