1 H ijo mío, guarda mis palabras, y atesora mis mandamientos contigo.

My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.

2 G uarda mis mandamientos y vivirás, y mi enseñanza como la niña de tus ojos.

Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 A talos a tus dedos, escríbelos en la tabla de tu corazón.

Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 D i a la sabiduría: Tú eres mi hermana, y llama a la inteligencia tu mejor amiga,

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 p ara que te guarden de la mujer extraña, de la desconocida que lisonjea con sus palabras.

That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. The Crafty Harlot

6 P orque desde la ventana de mi casa miraba por la celosía,

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

7 y vi entre los simples, distinguí entre los muchachos a un joven falto de juicio,

And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,

8 p asando por la calle cerca de su esquina; iba camino de su casa,

Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house

9 a l atardecer, al anochecer, en medio de la noche y la oscuridad.

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

10 Y he aquí, una mujer le sale al encuentro, vestida como ramera y astuta de corazón.

And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 E s alborotadora y rebelde, sus pies no permanecen en casa;

She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.

12 e stá ya en las calles, ya en las plazas, y acecha por todas las esquinas.

At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.

13 Y lo agarra y lo besa, y descarada le dice:

So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:

14 T enía que ofrecer ofrendas de paz, y hoy he cumplido mis votos;

“ I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.

15 p or eso he salido a encontrarte, buscando tu rostro con ansiedad, y te he hallado.

So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.

16 H e tendido mi lecho con colchas, con linos de Egipto en colores;

I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.

17 h e rociado mi cama con mirra, áloes y canela.

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

18 V en, embriaguémonos de amor hasta la mañana, deleitémonos con caricias.

Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 P orque mi marido no está en casa, se ha ido a un largo viaje;

For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;

20 s e ha llevado en la mano la bolsa del dinero, volverá a casa para la luna llena.

He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.”

21 C on sus palabras persuasivas lo atrae, lo seduce con sus labios lisonjeros.

With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 A l instante la sigue, como va el buey al matadero, o como uno en grillos al castigo de un necio,

Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23 h asta que una flecha le traspasa el hígado; como el ave que se precipita en la trampa, y no sabe que esto le costará la vida.

Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

24 A hora pues, hijos míos, escuchadme, y prestad atención a las palabras de mi boca.

Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

25 N o se desvíe tu corazón hacia sus caminos, no te extravíes en sus sendas.

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;

26 P orque muchas son las víctimas derribadas por ella, y numerosos los que ha matado.

For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.

27 S u casa es el camino al Seol, que desciende a las cámaras de la muerte.

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