| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. | 1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. |
| 2Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. | 2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. |
| 3Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. |
| 4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, | 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative." |
| 5That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. | 5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. |
| 6For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, | 6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. |
| 7And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, | 7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. |
| 8Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house | 8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house |
| 9In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. | 9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. |
| 10And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. | 10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. |
| 11She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. | 11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; |
| 12At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. | 12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) |
| 13So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: | 13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: |
| 14“I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. | 14"Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. |
| 15So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. | 15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! |
| 16I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. | 16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. |
| 17I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. | 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. |
| 18Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. | 18Come, let's drink deeply of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! |
| 19For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; | 19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. |
| 20He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” | 20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." |
| 21With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. | 21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. |
| 22Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, | 22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose |
| 23Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. | 23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. |
| 24Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: | 24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. |
| 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; | 25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. |
| 26For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. | 26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. |
| 27Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death. | 27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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