Bible Reading Plan

⁶ At the window of my house
     I looked down through the lattice.
⁷ I saw among the simple,
     I noticed among the young men,
     a youth who had no sense.^(e)
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
     walking along in the direction of her house
⁹ at twilight,^(f) as the day was fading,
     as the dark of night set in.

¹⁰ Then out came a woman to meet him,
     dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
¹¹ (She is unruly^(g) and defiant,
     her feet never stay at home;
¹² now in the street, now in the squares,
     at every corner she lurks.)^(h)
13 She took hold of him⁽ⁱ⁾ and kissed him
     and with a brazen face she said:^(j)

¹⁴ "Today I fulfilled my vows,
     and I have food from my fellowship offering^(k) at home.
¹⁵ So I came out to meet you;
     I looked for you and have found you!
¹⁶ I have covered my bed
     with colored linens from Egypt.
¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed^(l)
     with myrrh,^(m) aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸ Come, let's drink deeply of love till morning;
     let's enjoy ourselves with love!^(n)
19 My husband is not at home;
     he has gone on a long journey.
²⁰ He took his purse filled with money
     and will not be home till full moon."

²¹ With persuasive words she led him astray;
     she seduced him with her smooth talk.^(o)
22 All at once he followed her
     like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b](p)
23       till an arrow pierces^(q) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
     little knowing it will cost him his life.^(r)

²⁴ Now then, my sons, listen^(s) to me;
     pay attention to what I say.
²⁵ Do not let your heart turn to her ways
     or stray into her paths.^(t)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
     her slain are a mighty throng.
²⁷ Her house is a highway to the grave,
     leading down to the chambers of death.^(u)