1 H IJO mío, guarda mis razones, Y encierra contigo mis mandamientos.

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

2 G uarda mis mandamientos, y vivirás; Y mi ley como las niñas de tus ojos.

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

3 L ígalos á 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 á la sabiduría: Tú eres mi hermana; Y á la inteligencia llama parienta:

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

5 P ara que te guarden de la mujer ajena, Y de la extraña que ablanda 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 mirando yo por la ventana de mi casa, Por mi celosía,

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

7 V i entre los simples, Consideré entre los jóvenes, Un mancebo falto de entendimiento,

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

8 E l cual pasaba por la calle, junto á la esquina de aquella, E iba camino de su casa,

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

9 A la tarde del día, ya que oscurecía, En la oscuridad y tiniebla de la noche.

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

10 Y he aquí, una mujer que le sale al encuentro Con atavío de ramera, astuta de corazón,

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

11 A lborotadora y rencillosa, Sus pies no pueden estar en casa;

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

12 U nas veces de fuera, ó bien por las plazas, Acechando por todas las esquinas.

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

13 Y traba de él, y bésalo; Desvergonzó su rostro, y díjole:

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

14 S acrificios de paz había prometido, Hoy he pagado mis votos;

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

15 P or tanto he salido á encontrarte, Buscando diligentemente tu rostro, y te he hallado.

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

16 C on paramentos he ataviado mi cama, Recamados con cordoncillo de Egipto.

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

17 H e sahumado mi cámara Con mirra, áloes, y cinamomo.

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

18 V en, embriaguémonos de amores hasta la mañana; Alegrémonos en amores.

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

19 P orque el marido no está en casa, Hase ido á un largo viaje:

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

20 E l saco de dinero llevó en su mano; El día señalado volverá á su casa.

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

21 R indiólo con la mucha suavidad de sus palabras, Obligóle con la blandura de sus labios.

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

22 V ase en pos de ella luego, Como va el buey al degolladero, Y como el loco á las prisiones para ser castigado;

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

23 C omo el ave que se apresura al lazo, Y no sabe que es contra su vida, Hasta que la saeta traspasó su hígado.

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, oidme, Y estad atentos á las razones de mi boca.

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

25 N o se aparte á sus caminos tu corazón; No yerres en sus veredas.

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

26 P orque á muchos ha hecho caer heridos; Y aun los más fuertes han sido muertos por ella.

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

27 C aminos del sepulcro son su casa, Que descienden á las cámaras de la muerte.

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