¹⁸ Surely her house leads down to death
    and her paths to the spirits of the dead.^(A)

¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(A)

²² All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b](A)
23     till an arrow pierces^(B) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.^(C)

²⁴ Now then, my sons, listen^(D) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
²⁵ Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.^(E)
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.^(F)

²⁶ For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
    but another man’s wife preys on your very life.^(A)
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
    without his clothes being burned?
²⁸ Can a man walk on hot coals
    without his feet being scorched?
²⁹ So is he who sleeps^(B) with another man’s wife;^(C)
    no one who touches her will go unpunished.

³⁰ People do not despise a thief if he steals
    to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
³¹ Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,^(D)
    though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
³² But a man who commits adultery^(E) has no sense;^(F)
    whoever does so destroys himself.
³³ Blows and disgrace are his lot,
    and his shame will never^(G) be wiped away.

³⁴ For jealousy^(H) arouses a husband’s fury,^(I)
    and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
³⁵ He will not accept any compensation;
    he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.^(J)

⁷ Now then, my sons, listen^(D) to me;
    do not turn aside from what I say.
⁸ Keep to a path far from her,^(E)
    do not go near the door of her house,
⁹ lest you lose your honor to others
    and your dignity^[a] to one who is cruel,
¹⁰ lest strangers feast on your wealth
    and your toil enrich the house of another.^(F)
11 At the end of your life you will groan,
    when your flesh and body are spent.
¹² You will say, “How I hated discipline!
    How my heart spurned correction!^(G)
13 I would not obey my teachers
    or turn my ear to my instructors.
¹⁴ And I was soon in serious trouble^(H)
    in the assembly of God’s people.”^(I)