New International Version NIV
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
1 My son, keep my sayings, and let my rules be stored up with you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
2 Keep my rules and you will have life; let my teaching be to you as the light of your eyes;
3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
3 Let them be fixed to your fingers, and recorded in your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”
4 Say to wisdom, You are my sister; let knowledge be named your special friend:
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
5 So that they may keep you from the strange woman, even from her whose words are smooth.
6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.
6 Looking out from my house, and watching through the window,
7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
7 I saw among the young men one without sense,
8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
8 Walking in the street near the turn of her road, going on the way to her house,
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
9 At nightfall, in the evening of the day, in the black dark of the night.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
10 And the woman came out to him, in the dress of a loose woman, with a designing heart;
11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
11 She is full of noise and uncontrolled; her feet keep not in her house.
12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
12 Now she is in the street, now in the open spaces, waiting at every turning of the road.
13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
13 So she took him by his hand, kissing him, and without a sign of shame she said to him:
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
14 I have a feast of peace-offerings, for today my oaths have been effected.
15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
15 So I came out in the hope of meeting you, looking for you with care, and now I have you.
16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
16 My bed is covered with cushions of needlework, with coloured cloths of the cotton thread of Egypt;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
17 I have made my bed sweet with perfumes and spices.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
18 Come, let us take our pleasure in love till the morning, having joy in love's delights.
19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
19 For the master of the house is away on a long journey:
20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
20 He has taken a bag of money with him; he is coming back at the full moon.
21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
21 With her fair words she overcame him, forcing him with her smooth lips.
22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
22 The simple man goes after her, like an ox going to its death, like a roe pulled by a cord;
23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
23 Like a bird falling into a net; with no thought that his life is in danger, till an arrow goes into his side.
24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
24 So now, my sons, give ear to me; give attention to the sayings of my mouth;
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
25 Let not your heart be turned to her ways, do not go wandering in her footsteps.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
26 For those wounded and made low by her are great in number; and all those who have come to their death through her are a great army.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
27 Her house is the way to the underworld, going down to the rooms of death.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.