^{20 Ref} My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:

^{21 Ref} Bind them continually upon thy heart; Tie them about thy neck.

^{22 Ref} When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

^{23 Ref} For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

^{24 Ref} To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the foreigner's tongue.

^{25 Ref} Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

^{26 Ref} For on account of a harlot `a man is brought' to a piece of bread; And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.

^{27 Ref} Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?

²⁸ Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?

^{29 Ref} So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife; Whosoever toucheth her shall not be unpunished.

^{30 Ref} Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry:

^{31 Ref} But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house.

^{32 Ref} He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.

^{33 Ref} Wounds and dishonor shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away.

^{34 Ref} For jealousy is the rage of a man; And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

^{35 Ref} He will not regard any ransom; Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.