[1] My son, if you listen closely to my wisdom and good sense, [2] you will have sound judgment, and you will always know the right thing to say. [3] The words of an immoral woman may be as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil. [4] But all that you really get from being with her is bitter poison and pain. [5] If you follow her, she will lead you down to the world of the dead. [6] She has missed the path that leads to life and doesn't even know it. [7] My son, listen to me and do everything I say. [8] Stay away from a bad woman! Don't even go near the door of her house. [9] You will lose your self-respect and end up in debt to some cruel person for the rest of your life. [10] Strangers will get your money and everything else you have worked for. [11] When it's all over, your body will waste away, as you groan [12] and shout, "I hated advice and correction! [13] I paid no attention to my teachers, [14] and now I am disgraced in front of everyone." [15] You should be faithful to your wife, just as you take water from your own well. [16] And don't be like a stream from which just any woman may take a drink. [17] Save yourself for your wife and don't have sex with other women. [18] Be happy with the wife you married when you were young. [19] She is beautiful and graceful, just like a deer; you should be attracted to her and stay deeply in love. [20] Don't go crazy over a woman who is unfaithful to her own husband! [21] The LORD sees everything, and he watches us closely. [22] Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. [23] They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control.
