New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 My son, obey my words. Store up my commands inside you.
1
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
2 Obey my commands and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes.
2
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Tie them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
3
Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding a member of your family.
4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from a woman who commits adultery. They will keep you from the smooth talk of a sinful wife.
5
They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
6 I stood at the window of my house. I looked out through it.
6
At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.
7 Among those who were childish I saw a young man who had no sense.
7
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
8 He went down the street near that sinful woman's corner. He walked toward her house.
8
He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
9 The sun had gone down. Day was fading. The darkness of night was falling.
9
at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
10 A woman came out to meet him. She was dressed like a prostitute and had a clever plan.
10
Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 She was a loud and pushy woman. She never stayed at home.
11
(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
12 Sometimes in the streets, sometimes at other places, at every corner she would wait.
12
now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of the young man and kissed him. With a bold face she spoke to him.
13
She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
14 She said, "At home I have meat left over from my offerings. Today I offered what I had promised I would.
14
“Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you. I looked for you. And I have found you!
15
So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed with colored sheets from Egypt.
16
I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I've perfumed my bed with spices. I used myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy ourselves by having sex!
18
Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband isn't home. He's gone on a long journey.
19
My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his bag full of money. He won't be home for several days."
20
He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
21 She led him down the wrong path with her clever words. She charmed him with her smooth talk.
21
With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her. He was like an ox going to be killed. He was like a deer stepping into a trap
22
All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
23 until an arrow struck its liver. He was like a bird rushing into a trap. Little did he know it would cost him his life!
23
till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
24 My sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say.
24
Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
25 Don't let your hearts turn to her ways. Don't step onto her paths.
25
Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
26 She has brought down a lot of men. She has killed a huge crowd.
26
Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a road to the grave. It leads down to the place of the dead.
27
Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.