²⁶ I find more bitter than death
    the woman who is a snare,^(A)
whose heart is a trap
    and whose hands are chains.
The man who pleases God will escape her,
    but the sinner she will ensnare.^(B)

¹³ Folly is an unruly woman;^(A)
    she is simple and knows nothing.^(B)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,^(C)
15 calling out^(D) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
¹⁶     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(E) she says,
¹⁷     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!^(F)”
¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(G)

¹⁰ Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
¹¹ (She is unruly^(A) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
¹² now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)^(B)
13 She took hold of him^(C) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:^(D)

¹⁴ “Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering^(E) at home.
¹⁵ So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!
¹⁶ I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed^(F)
    with myrrh,^(G) aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸ Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!^(H)
19 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.”

²¹ With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.^(I)
22 All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b](J)
23     till an arrow pierces^(K) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.^(L)

²⁴ Now then, my sons, listen^(M) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
²⁵ Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.^(N)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
    her slain are a mighty throng.
²⁷ Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.^(O)

³⁵ He will not accept any compensation;
    he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.^(A)