1 M y son, listen to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding.

Hijo mío, presta atención a mi sabiduría, Inclina tu oído a mi prudencia,

2 S o you may know what is good thinking, and your lips may keep much learning.

Para que guardes la discreción Y tus labios conserven el conocimiento.

3 F or the lips of a strange woman are as sweet as honey. Her talk is as smooth as oil.

Porque los labios de la extraña destilan miel, Y su lengua es más suave que el aceite;

4 B ut in the end she is as bitter tasting as wormwood, and as sharp as a sword that cuts both ways.

Pero al final es amarga como el ajenjo, Aguda como espada de dos filos.

5 H er feet go down to death. Her steps take hold of hell.

Sus pies descienden a la muerte, Sus pasos sólo logran el Seol.

6 S he does not think about the path of life. Her ways go this way and that, and she does not know it.

No considera la senda de la vida; Sus senderos son inestables, y no lo sabe.

7 N ow then, my sons, listen to me. Do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

Ahora pues, hijos míos, escúchenme, Y no se aparten de las palabras de mi boca.

8 K eep far away from her. Do not go near the door of her house.

Aleja de la extraña tu camino, Y no te acerques a la puerta de su casa;

9 I f you do, you would give your strength to others, and your years to those without loving-kindness.

No sea que des tu vigor a otros Y tus años al cruel;

10 S trangers would be filled with your strength, and the fruits of your work would go to a strange house.

No sea que se sacien los extraños de tus bienes Y tu esfuerzo vaya a casa del extranjero;

11 Y ou would cry inside yourself when your end comes, when your flesh and body are wasted away.

Y al final te lamentes, Cuando tu carne y tu cuerpo se hayan consumido,

12 Y ou would say, “How I have hated teaching! My heart hated strong words!

Y digas: “¡Cómo he aborrecido la instrucción, Y mi corazón ha despreciado la corrección!

13 I have not listened to the voice of my teachers. I have not turned my ear to those who would teach me.

No he escuchado la voz de mis maestros, Ni he inclinado mi oído a mis instructores.

14 N ow I have a bad name in the meeting place of the people.”

He estado a punto de completa ruina En medio de la asamblea y la congregación.”

15 D rink water from your own pool, flowing water from your own well.

Bebe agua de tu cisterna Y agua fresca de tu pozo.

16 S hould the waters from your well flow away, rivers of water in the streets?

¿Se derramarán por fuera tus manantiales, Tus arroyos de aguas por las calles?

17 L et them be yours alone, and not for strangers with you.

Sean para ti solo, Y no para los extraños contigo.

18 L et your well be honored, and be happy with the wife you married when you were young.

Sea bendita tu fuente, Y regocíjate con la mujer de tu juventud,

19 L et her be like a loving, female deer. Let her breasts please you at all times. Be filled with great joy always because of her love.

Amante cierva y graciosa gacela; Que sus senos te satisfagan en todo tiempo, Su amor te embriague para siempre.

20 M y son, why should you be carried away with a sinful woman and fall into the arms of a strange woman?

¿Por qué has de embriagarte, hijo mío, con una extraña, Y abrazar el seno de una desconocida ?

21 F or the ways of a man are seen by the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths.

Pues los caminos del hombre están delante de los ojos del Señor, Y El observa todos sus senderos.

22 H is own sins will trap the sinful. He will be held with the ropes of his sin.

De sus propias iniquidades será presa el impío, Y en los lazos de su pecado quedará atrapado.

23 H e will die for want of teaching, and will go the wrong way because of the greatness of his foolish ways.

Morirá por falta de instrucción, Y por su mucha necedad perecerá.