^{20 Ref} My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:

^{21 Ref} Keep them ever folded in your heart, and have them hanging round your neck.

^{22 Ref} In your walking, it will be your guide; when you are sleeping, it will keep watch over you; when you are awake, it will have talk with you.

^{23 Ref} For the rule is a light, and the teaching a shining light; and the guiding words of training are the way of life.

^{24 Ref} They will keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the strange woman.

^{25 Ref} Let not your heart's desire go after her fair body; let not her eyes take you prisoner.

^{26 Ref} For a loose woman is looking for a cake of bread, but another man's wife goes after one's very life.

^{27 Ref} May a man take fire to his breast without burning his clothing?

²⁸ Or may one go on lighted coals, and his feet not be burned?

^{29 Ref} So it is with him who goes in to his neighbour's wife; he who has anything to do with her will not go free from punishment.

^{30 Ref} Men do not have a low opinion of a thief who takes food when he is in need of it:

^{31 Ref} But if he is taken in the act he will have to give back seven times as much, giving up all his property which is in his house.

^{32 Ref} He who takes another man's wife is without all sense: he who does it is the cause of destruction to his soul.

^{33 Ref} Wounds will be his and loss of honour, and his shame may not be washed away.

^{34 Ref} For bitter is the wrath of an angry husband; in the day of punishment he will have no mercy.

^{35 Ref} He will not take any payment; and he will not make peace with you though your money offerings are increased.