⁴ To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

⁵ You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.

¹² "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded;

²² Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

⁸ A highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but is shall be for for him who walks in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.

⁹ Rejoice, young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, And walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

¹⁰ Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh; For youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

¹ Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the evil days come, and the years draw near, When you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"

⁴ "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

⁵ "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

³² "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

¹⁷ I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner, He went the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, And with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, And lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ "Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me. This day I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, To diligently seek your face, And I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let's take our fill of loving until the morning. Let's solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon."

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, As an ox goes to the slaughter, As a fool stepping into a noose.

²³ Until an arrow strikes through his liver, As a bird hurries to the snare, And doesn't know that it will cost his life.

²⁴ Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth.

²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:

¹⁰ For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

¹¹ Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you,

²² "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?

²³ Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

¹³⁰ The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

⁷ Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.