1 H ijo mío, guarda mis razones, Y atesora 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 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 a la inteligencia llama tu 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 de palabras zalameras.

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

6 P orque estaba yo a la ventana de mi casa, Mirando por la reja; Vi entre los simples,

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

7 D istinguí entre los muchachos, A un joven 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 a la esquina donde ella vivía, 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, cuando ya oscurecía, En la oscuridad y tinieblas de la noche.

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

10 C uando he aquí, una mujer le sale al encuentro, Con atavío de ramera y disimulo en el corazón.

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

11 B ullanguera y revoltosa, Sus pies no pueden parar en casa;

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

12 U nas veces está en la calle, otras veces en las plazas, Acechando por todas las esquinas.

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

13 L e agarró, y le besó. Con semblante descarado le dijo:

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 a 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 H e adornado mi cama con colchas Recamadas con cordoncillo de Egipto;

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

17 H e perfumado mi alcoba Con mirra, áloes y canela.

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

18 V en, embriaguémonos de amores hasta la mañana; Gocemos de las delicias del placer.

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 llevó la bolsa de dinero; Y hasta la luna llena no volverá a casa.

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

21 L o rindió con la suavidad de sus muchas palabras, Le obligó con la zalamería de sus labios.

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

22 A l punto se marchó tras ella, Como va el buey al degolladero, Y como el necio a 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 precipita hacia el lazo, Y no sabe que es contra vida, Hasta que la saeta traspasa su corazón.

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, oídme, Y estad atentos a 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 tu corazón hacia sus caminos; No te extravíes por sus veredas.

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

26 P orque a muchos ha hecho caer heridos, Y aun los más robustos han sido muertos por ella.

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

27 C amino al Seol es su casa, Que conduce a las cámaras de la muerte.

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