66 Books

¹ And treasure my commands within you. ² And my law as the apple of your eye. ³ Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ And call understanding your nearest kin, ⁵ From the seductress who flatters with her words. ⁶ I looked through my lattice, ⁷ A young man devoid of understanding, ⁸ And he took the path to her house ⁹ In the black and dark night. ¹⁰ With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. ¹¹ Her feet would not stay at home. ¹² Lurking at every corner. ¹³ With an impudent face she said to him: ¹⁴ Today I have paid my vows. ¹⁵ And I have found you. ¹⁶ Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. ¹⁷ With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. ¹⁸ Let us delight ourselves with love. ¹⁹ He has gone on a long journey; ²⁰ And will come home on the appointed day.” ²¹ With her flattering lips she seduced him. ²² Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, ²³ He did not know it would cost his life. ²⁴ Pay attention to the words of my mouth: ²⁵ Do not stray into her paths; ²⁶ And all who were slain by her were strong men. ²⁷ Descending to the chambers of death.