Proverbs 7
Warnings About the Adulteress
My son, keep my words like rich treasure to hide,
and lay up my precepts through life as your guide.
Obey my commandments and live, and be wise,
and guard my commands as you'd guard your own eyes.
Reminding you, bind them to fingers as rings;
and write on the tablet of your heart these things.
To wisdom, say, You are a sister to me;
to insight, As kin, we're as close as can be,
so they will keep you from that woman who's loose,
whose words from her smooth tongue are meant to seduce.
I walked to my window for something to do
and opened the lattice to take in the view.
Among the naïve boys who walked to and fro,
I noticed a senseless one passing below.
He strolled to the corner with purposeful stride,
and turned down a street where those women reside.
The evening had come but the moon shed her light,
he thought he could travel unseen in the night.
Then out came a woman who sure looked the part:
seductively dressed with intent in her heart.
She's brash and debauched as she works in the gloam;
she's restless and never content to stay home.
She's now in the market, she's now in the square,
she's now on the street corners, lurking somewhere.
She grabs him to kiss him — he can't turn away;
she looks at him boldly and I heard her say:
I've offered my peace sacrifices just now,
at home, I have meat since fulfilling my vow.
I came out to meet you, I'm glad you're around;
I urgently sought you, and glad you've been found.
I've covered, with beautiful blankets, my bed,
and there, colored linens from Egypt are spread.
I've sprinkled my couch with such lovely perfumes,
now cinnamon, aloes and myrrh fill the rooms.
Come, let us make love with each other all night,
and feast on each other until morning light.
My husband has not been at home here all day,
for he's on a journey and gone far away;
he's taken his money and said his goodbye,
and will not return till the full moon is nigh.
Persuasive, her words, as she led him astray;
seducing him further with things she would say.
She led him like she'd lead, to slaughter, an ox;
as deer to a trap, or as fool to the stocks;
he darts like a bird flying into the snare,
not knowing the cost of his life would be there.
Now, listen, my sons, and do not turn away;
be very attentive to all that I say.
Do not let your hearts, by her, be led astray;
don't let yourselves travel her path or her way.
For many a victim has she had brought low;
her slain are so many that we'll never know.
My son, keep my words like rich treasure to hide,
and lay up my precepts through life as your guide.
Obey my commandments and live, and be wise,
and guard my commands as you'd guard your own eyes.
Reminding you, bind them to fingers as rings;
and write on the tablet of your heart these things.
To wisdom, say, You are a sister to me;
to insight, As kin, we're as close as can be,
so they will keep you from that woman who's loose,
whose words from her smooth tongue are meant to seduce.
I walked to my window for something to do
and opened the lattice to take in the view.
Among the naïve boys who walked to and fro,
I noticed a senseless one passing below.
He strolled to the corner with purposeful stride,
and turned down a street where those women reside.
The evening had come but the moon shed her light,
he thought he could travel unseen in the night.
Then out came a woman who sure looked the part:
seductively dressed with intent in her heart.
She's brash and debauched as she works in the gloam;
she's restless and never content to stay home.
She's now in the market, she's now in the square,
she's now on the street corners, lurking somewhere.
She grabs him to kiss him — he can't turn away;
she looks at him boldly and I heard her say:
I've offered my peace sacrifices just now,
at home, I have meat since fulfilling my vow.
I came out to meet you, I'm glad you're around;
I urgently sought you, and glad you've been found.
I've covered, with beautiful blankets, my bed,
and there, colored linens from Egypt are spread.
I've sprinkled my couch with such lovely perfumes,
now cinnamon, aloes and myrrh fill the rooms.
Come, let us make love with each other all night,
and feast on each other until morning light.
My husband has not been at home here all day,
for he's on a journey and gone far away;
he's taken his money and said his goodbye,
and will not return till the full moon is nigh.
Persuasive, her words, as she led him astray;
seducing him further with things she would say.
She led him like she'd lead, to slaughter, an ox;
as deer to a trap, or as fool to the stocks;
he darts like a bird flying into the snare,
not knowing the cost of his life would be there.
Now, listen, my sons, and do not turn away;
be very attentive to all that I say.
Do not let your hearts, by her, be led astray;
don't let yourselves travel her path or her way.
For many a victim has she had brought low;
her slain are so many that we'll never know.
|
|
|
|
|