66 Books

¹ If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, ² You are taken by the words of your mouth. ³ Plead with your friend. ⁴ Nor slumber to your eyelids. ⁵ And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. ⁶ Consider her ways and be wise, ⁷ Overseer or ruler, ⁸ And gathers her food in the harvest. ⁹ When will you rise from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little folding of the hands to sleep— ¹¹ And your need like an armed man. ¹² Walks with a perverse mouth; ¹³ He points with his fingers; ¹⁴ He sows discord. ¹⁵ Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. ¹⁶ Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷ Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ And one who sows discord among brethren. ²⁰ And do not forsake the law of your mother. ²¹ Tie them around your neck. ²² And when you awake, they will speak with you. ²³ Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, ²⁴ From the flattering tongue of a seductress. ²⁵ Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. ²⁶ And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. ²⁷ And his clothes not be burned? ²⁸ And his feet not be seared? ²⁹ Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. ³⁰ If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. ³¹ He may have to give up all the substance of his house. ³² He who does so destroys his own soul. ³³ And his reproach will not be wiped away. ³⁴ Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. ³⁵ Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.