Proverbs 5:1-14

1My child, listen carefully to the wisdom that I teach you. I will teach you how to understand things well.

2If you learn this, you will choose to do the right things in life. Your words will show that you are wise.

3Do not listen to the words of an adulteress. She promises something as sweet as honey and as beautiful as olive oil.

4But in the end, she gives you bitter food, like poison. She gives you pain like a sharp sword.

5She will lead you down to the place of death. You will follow her to your grave!

6She does not think about the way that leads to true life. She has lost the right road but she does not understand what she is doing.

7So listen to me, my children. Never forget what I am telling you.

8Keep far away from a woman like that! Do not even go near the door of her house.

9If you go with her, you will lose your honour. A cruel person will rob you of the best years of your life.

10Strangers will take all your money. The good things that you have worked for will belong to someone else.

11At the end of your life, you will weep with pain. Your body will be sick and weak.

12You will say, ‘I should have listened when people warned me that I was doing bad things.

13I did not listen to my teachers. I refused to obey them.

14Now I will be completely ashamed when I meet together with all the people.’