New International Version NIV
New King James Version NKJV
1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
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My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
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Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”
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Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
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That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.
6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.
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For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice,
7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
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And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,
8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
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Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
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In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
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And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
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She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.
12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
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At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.
13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
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So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
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"I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
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So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.
16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
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I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
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I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
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Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
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For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;
20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
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He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day."
21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
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With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
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Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
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Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.
24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
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Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
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Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
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For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
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Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.