Chapter 5

  My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:  

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  That you may maintain discretion, That your lips may preserve knowledge.  

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  For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,  

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  But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, And as sharp as a two-edged sword.  

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  Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.  

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  She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it.  

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  Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don't depart from the words of my mouth.  

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  Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house,  

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  Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;  

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  Lest strangers feast on your wealth, And your labors enrich another man's house.  

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  You will groan at your latter end, When your flesh and your body are consumed,  

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  And say, 'How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof;  

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  Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!  

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  I have come to the brink of utter ruin, In the midst of the gathered assembly.'  

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  Drink water out of your own cistern, Running water out of your own well.  

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  Should your springs overflow in the streets, Streams of water in the public squares?  

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  Let them be for yourself alone, Not for strangers with you.  

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  Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.  

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  A loving hind and a pleasant doe -- Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.  

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  For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?  

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  For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths.  

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  The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.  

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  He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.  

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