7

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one"s birth.

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

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

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.