Proverbs 7:3-22 in English

³ Bind them upon thy fingers; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, From the foreigner that flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice;

⁷ And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

¹¹ (She is clamorous and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner.)

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face she said unto him:

¹⁴ Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me; This day have I paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the man is not at home; He is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him; He will come home at the full moon.

²¹ With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield; With the flattering of her lips she forceth him along.

²² He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;

³ And bind them on thy fingers, and write them on the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say that wisdom is thy sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for thyself;

⁵ that she may keep thee from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail thee with flattering words.

⁶ For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,

⁷ passing by the corner in the passages near her house,

⁸ and speaking, in the dark of the evening,

⁹ when there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness:

¹⁰ and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.

¹¹ And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.

¹² For at one time she wanders without, and at another time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.

¹³ Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,

¹⁴ I have a peace-offering; to-day I pay my vows:

¹⁵ therefore I came forth to meet thee, desiring thy face; and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,

²⁰ having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.

²¹ So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips she forced him from the right path.

²² And he followed her, being gently led on, and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

¹¹ (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

¹⁴ I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

²² He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

¹¹ (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

¹⁴ I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

²² He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

³ And bind them on your fingers, and write them on the table of your heart.

⁴ Say that wisdom is your sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for yourself;

⁵ that she may keep you from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail you with flattering words.

⁶ For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,

⁷ passing by the corner in the passages near her house,

⁸ and speaking, in the dark of the evening,

⁹ when there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness:

¹⁰ and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.

¹¹ And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.

¹² For at one time she wanders without, and at another time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.

¹³ Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,

¹⁴ I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows:

¹⁵ therefore I came forth to meet you, desiring your face; and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,

²⁰ having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.

²¹ So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from the right path.

²² And he followed her, being gently led on, and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:

³ Bind them upon thy fingers; write them upon the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice;

⁷ And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner, and he went the way to her house;

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness.

¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and wily of heart.

¹¹ She is clamorous, and wilful; her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lieth in wait at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him:

¹⁴ Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me; this day have I paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him; he will come home at the full moon.

²¹ With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forceth him away.

²² He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as fetters to the correction of the fool;

³ Tie my commands around your fingers in order that they will remind you to obey them. Always keep them in mind MET.

⁴ Love wisdom like you love your sister. Understand what is wise, and let that be as dear to you as members of your family.

⁵ If you are wise and if you understand what is wise PRS, you will not sleep with an immoral woman; you will not listen to a woman who tries to entice you to sleep with her by what she says.

⁶ One day, I was standing at the window inside my house, and I looked outside.

⁷ I saw some young men who did not have good sense. Among them was a man who was very foolish.

⁸ He crossed the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was walking along the path toward her house

⁹ at twilight, when it was getting dark DOU.

¹⁰ Suddenly the woman came out to see/meet him. She was dressed ◄seductively/like a prostitute►, wanting to persuade him to sleep with her.

¹¹ She was a loud talker, one who was rebellious; she SYN never stayed at home.

¹² She often went into the city streets and plazas/markets, waiting to trap some man.

¹³ When she saw that young man, she put her arms around him and kissed him. Then without being a bit ashamed, she said,

¹⁴ “I have some meat that is left over from a sacrifice that I made today to maintain fellowship with Yahweh; I have fulfilled/done what I promised him that I would do.

¹⁵ And now I have come out to meet/see you. I was searching for you, and now I have found you!

¹⁶ I have put on my bed sheets/bedspreads that were made from very fine linen that were imported { people brought} from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled sweet-smelling perfumes on my bed— myrrh and aloes and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come with me; let us enjoy having sex until tomorrow morning. Let's enjoy making love.

¹⁹ My husband is not at home; he has gone away on a long journey.

²⁰ He is carrying a wallet filled with money, and he will not return until the middle of this month.”

²¹ So she persuaded him by her enticing/tempting words. She allured him by her smooth/sweet talk.

²² And he went with her immediately, like an ox that was going to where it would be slaughtered, or like a deer (OR, a fool) that is stepping into a noose/trap,

³ And bind them on your fingers, and write them on the table of your heart.

⁴ Say that wisdom is your sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for yourself;

⁵ that she may keep you from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail you with flattering words.

⁶ For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,

⁷ passing by the corner in the passages near her house,

⁸ and speaking, in the dark of the evening,

⁹ when there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness:

¹⁰ and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.

¹¹ And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.

¹² For at one time she wanders without, and at another time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.

¹³ Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,

¹⁴ I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows:

¹⁵ therefore I came forth to meet you, desiring your face; and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,

²⁰ having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.

²¹ So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from the right path.

²² And he followed her, being gently led on, and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw amongst the simple ones. I discerned amongst the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Let them be fixed to your fingers, and recorded in your heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom, You are my sister; let knowledge be named your special friend:

⁵ So that they may keep you from the strange woman, even from her whose words are smooth.

⁶ Looking out from my house, and watching through the window,

⁷ I saw among the young men one without sense,

⁸ Walking in the street near the turn of her road, going on the way to her house,

⁹ At nightfall, in the evening of the day, in the black dark of the night.

¹⁰ And the woman came out to him, in the dress of a loose woman, with a designing heart;

¹¹ She is full of noise and uncontrolled; her feet keep not in her house.

¹² Now she is in the street, now in the open spaces, waiting at every turning of the road.

¹³ So she took him by his hand, kissing him, and without a sign of shame she said to him:

¹⁴ I have a feast of peace-offerings, for today my oaths have been effected.

¹⁵ So I came out in the hope of meeting you, looking for you with care, and now I have you.

¹⁶ My bed is covered with cushions of needlework, with coloured cloths of the cotton thread of Egypt;

¹⁷ I have made my bed sweet with perfumes and spices.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our pleasure in love till the morning, having joy in love's delights.

¹⁹ For the master of the house is away on a long journey:

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him; he is coming back at the full moon.

²¹ With her fair words she overcame him, forcing him with her smooth lips.

²² The simple man goes after her, like an ox going to its death, like a roe pulled by a cord;

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the tablet of thy heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call intelligence thy kinswoman:

⁵ that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked forth through my lattice,

⁷ and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the sons, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness.

¹⁰ And behold, there met him a woman in the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart.

¹¹ She is clamorous and unmanageable; her feet abide not in her house:

¹² now without, now in the broadways, — and she lieth in wait at every corner.

¹³ And she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

¹⁴ I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows:

¹⁵ therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek earnestly thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my bed with tapestry coverlets of variegated linen from Egypt;

¹⁷ I have perfumed my couch with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us revel in love until the morning, let us delight ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey;

²⁰ he hath taken the money-bag with him, he will come home on the day of the full moon.

²¹ With her much enticement she beguiled him; with the smoothness of her lips she constrained him.

²² He went after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, and as stocks serve for the correction of the fool;

³ Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,

⁵ That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.

⁶ For I look out of the window of my house through the lattice,

⁷ And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,

⁸ Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house.

⁹ In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night,

¹⁰ And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot’s attire prepared to deceive souls; talkative and wandering,

¹¹ Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,

¹² Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.

¹³ And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face, flattereth, saying:

¹⁴ I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry, brought from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.

²⁰ He took with him a bag of money: he mill return home the day of the full moon.

²¹ She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her lips.

²² Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,

³ Tie them to your fingers; write them in your mind.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You're my sister,” and call insight your best friend.

⁵ They will protect you from the immoral woman, from the prostitute with her seductive words.

⁶ One time I looked through the lattice of the window in my house,

⁷ and I saw among the immature young men one who had no sense at all.

⁸ He was walking down the street near the corner where she lived and took the road passing her house.

⁹ It was at dusk in the evening, as the light was fading and the dark night closed in.

¹⁰ Then out came a woman came to meet him. She was dressed as a prostitute and had deceptive intentions.

¹¹ (She was loud and provocative, never wanting to stay at home.

¹² One moment she'd be walking the streets, the next she'd be there in the town squares, loitering at every corner.)

¹³ She grabbed hold of him and kissed him, and with a bold face she told him,

¹⁴ “I sacrificed my peace offering today, and paid my vows.

¹⁵ That's why I came out to meet you. I was looking for you and now I've found you!

¹⁶ My bed is made, covered with colorful linens from Egypt.

¹⁷ I've sprinkled perfume on my bed—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come with me, let's make love until the morning. Let's enjoy one another in our love-making!

¹⁹ My husband isn't home; he's gone on a long trip.

²⁰ He took a bag of money with him, and he won't be coming back until the full moon.”

²¹ She convinced him with all that she said; she seduced him with her smooth talking.

²² He followed her right away, like an ox to the slaughter. Like a stag that's caught in a snare

³ Binde them vpon thy fingers, and write them vpon the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say vnto wisedome, Thou art my sister: and call vnderstanding thy kinswoman,

⁵ That they may keepe thee from the strange woman, euen from the stranger that is smoothe in her wordes.

⁶ As I was in the window of mine house, I looked through my windowe,

⁷ And I sawe among the fooles, and considered among the children a yong man destitute of vnderstanding,

⁸ Who passed through the streete by her corner, and went toward her house,

⁹ In the twilight in the euening, when the night began to be blacke and darke.

¹⁰ And beholde, there met him a woman with an harlots behauiour, and subtill in heart.

¹¹ (She is babling and loud: whose feete can not abide in her house.

¹² Nowe she is without, nowe in the streetes, and lyeth in waite at euery corner)

¹³ So she caught him and kissed him and with an impudent face said vnto him,

¹⁴ I haue peace offerings: this day haue I payed my vowes.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meete thee, that I might seeke thy face: and I haue found thee.

¹⁶ I haue deckt my bed with ornaments, carpets and laces of Egypt.

¹⁷ I haue perfumed my bedde with myrrhe, aloes, and cynamom.

¹⁸ Come, let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning: let vs take our pleasure in daliance.

¹⁹ For mine husband is not at home: he is gone a iourney farre off.

²⁰ He hath taken with him a bagge of siluer, and will come home at the day appointed.

²¹ Thus with her great craft she caused him to yeelde, and with her flattering lips she entised him.

²² And he followed her straight wayes, as an oxe that goeth to the slaughter, and as a foole to the stockes for correction,

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom: 'Thou art my sister', and call understanding thy kinswoman;

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the alien woman that maketh smooth her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice;

⁷ And I beheld among the thoughtless ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner, and he went the way to her house;

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness.

¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

¹¹ She is riotous and rebellious, her feet abide not in her house;

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lieth in wait at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him:

¹⁴ 'Sacrifices of peace-offerings were due from me; this day have I paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my couch with coverlets, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey;

²⁰ He hath taken the bag of money with him; he will come home at the full moon.'

²¹ With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield, with the blandishment of her lips she enticeth him away.

²² He goeth after her straightway, as an ox that goeth to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the table of thine heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, From the stranger which flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night:

¹⁰ And behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.

¹¹ (She is loud and stubborn; Her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now is she without, now in the streets, And lieth in wait at every corner.)

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face said unto him,

¹⁴ I have peace offerings with me; This day have I payed my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have deckt my bed with coverings of tapestry, With carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: Let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, He is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him, And will come home at the day appointed.

²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, With the flattering of her lips she forced him.

²² He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

³ Bind them around thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.

⁴ Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from an adulterous woman, from an alien that useth flattering speeches.

⁶ For through the window of my house, through my lattice did I once look out,

⁷ And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a lad void of sense;

⁸ He was passing through the market-place near her corner; and he stepped along on the way to her house,

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the depth of the night and when it was dark:

¹⁰ And, behold, a woman came to meet him with the attire of a harlot, and obdurate of heart.

¹¹ (She is noisy and ungovernable; in her house her feet never rest;

¹² At one time she is in the street, at another in the open places, and near every corner doth she lurk,)

¹³ And she caught hold of him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said to him,

¹⁴ “I had bound myself to bring peace-offerings; this day have I paid my vows:

¹⁵ Therefore am I come forth to meet thee, to seek thy presence diligently, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ With tapestry coverings have I decked my bed, with embroidered coverlids of the fine linen of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my couch with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us indulge in love until the morning: let us delight ourselves with dalliances.

¹⁹ For the man is not in his house, he is gone on a journey a great way off:

²⁰ The bag of money hath he taken with him, by the day of the new-moon festival only will he come home.”

²¹ She seduced him by the abundance of her reasoning: by the flattery of her lips she misguided him.

²² He followed after her suddenly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, and as in fetters to his correction, the fool:

³ And bind them on thy fingers, And write them on the table of thy heart.

⁴ Say that wisdom is thy sister, And gain prudence as an acquaintance for thyself;

⁵ That she may keep thee from the strange and wicked woman, If she should assail thee with flattering words.

⁶ For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, At one whom she may see of the senseless ones, A young man void of understanding,

⁷ Passing by the corner in the passages near her house,

⁸ And speaking, in the dark of the evening,

⁹ When there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness:

¹⁰ And the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, That causes the hearts of young men to flutter.

¹¹ And she is fickle, and debauched, And her feet abide not at home.

¹² For at one time she wanders without, And at another time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.

¹³ Then she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face said to him,

¹⁴ I have a peace offering; Today I pay my vows:

¹⁵ Therefore I came forth to meet thee, desiring thy face; And I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have spread my bed with sheets, And I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, And my house with cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; Come, and let us embrace in love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home, But is gone on a long journey,

²⁰ Having taken in his hand a bundle of money: After many days he will return to his house.

²¹ So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, And with the snares of her lips she forced him from the right path.

²² And he followed her, being gently led on, And that as an ox is led to the slaughter, And as a dog to bonds, Or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the tablet of thy heart!

⁴ Say unto wisdom, “Thou art my sister!” And call understanding thy near acquaintance;

⁵ That they may keep thee from the wife of another, From the stranger, that useth smooth words.

⁶ For through the window of my house, Through the lattice I was looking forth,

⁷ And I saw among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding.

⁸ He was passing through the street near her corner, And was going the way to her house,

⁹ At twilight, in the evening, At midnight, yea, in the thick darkness.

¹⁰ And, behold, a woman met him, In the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart,—

¹¹ One noisy and unruly, Whose feet abide not in her house;

¹² Who is now in the streets, now in the broad places, And lurketh near every corner.

¹³ She caught hold of him and kissed him, And with a shameless face said to him,

¹⁴ “Thank-offerings have been upon me, And this day have I performed my vows;

¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee,—Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee!

¹⁶ I have spread my bed with coverlets, With tapestry of the thread of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with caresses.

¹⁹ For the good-man is not at home; He is gone a long journey;

²⁰ He hath taken a purse of money with him; At the day of the full moon he will return.”

²¹ By her much fair speech she seduced him; By the smoothness of her lips she drew him away.

²² He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the chastisement of the fool,

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt Abode of slavery.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of dod ·loving· until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Tie them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

⁵ in order to keep yourself from the adulterous woman, from the immoral woman with her smooth words.

⁶ At the window of my house I was looking out through the lattice.

⁷ I looked at the naive people, and I noticed among the young men a youth who had no sense.

⁸ That young man passed down the street near her corner, and he went toward her house.

⁹ It was twilight, in the evening of the day, at the time of night and darkness.

¹⁰ There a woman met him, dressed like a prostitute, with a false heart.

¹¹ She was loud and wayward; her feet did not stay at home.

¹² Now in the streets, then in the market place, and at every corner she waited in ambush.

¹³ So she grabbed him and kissed him, with a strong face she said to him,

¹⁴ “I made my peace offering today, I paid my vows,

¹⁵ so came I out to meet you, to eagerly seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread coverings on my bed, colored linens from Egypt.

¹⁷ I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; let us take great pleasure in acts of love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at his house; he has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He took a bag of money with him; he will return on the day of the full moon.”

²¹ With much talk she turned him; with her smooth lips she misled him.

²² He went after her suddenly like an ox going to slaughter, like a deer caught in a trap,

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw amongst the simple ones. I discerned amongst the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house.

⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

¹⁰ And behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.

¹¹ (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

¹² Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,

¹⁴ I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works , with fine linen of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

¹⁹ For the good-man is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she impelled him.

²² He goeth after her quickly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,

⁵ that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

⁷ I saw amongst the simple ones. I discerned amongst the youths a young man void of understanding,

⁸ passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

¹⁰ Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

¹¹ She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

¹² Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

¹⁴ “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

¹⁶ I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

¹⁹ For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

²¹ With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

²² He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.

³ Bind thou it in thy fingers; write thou it in the tables of thine heart.

⁴ Say thou to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call thou prudence thy love.

⁵ That it keep thee from a strange woman; and from an alien woman, that maketh her words sweet.

⁶ For she saith, For why from the window of mine house, by the lattice, I beheld;

⁷ and I see little children, that is, fools that have little wit. I behold a young man coward or the sorry-hearted young man,

⁸ that passeth by or through the streets, beside the corner; and he goeth nigh the way of her house,

⁹ in dark time, when the day draweth to night, in the darkness and mist in the night.

¹⁰ And lo! a woman, made ready with ornament of an whore to deceive souls, meeteth him,

¹¹ and she is a jangler, and going about, and unpatient of rest, and may not stand in the house with her feet;

¹² and now withoutforth, now in the streets, now beside the corners, she ambusheth.

¹³ And she taketh, and kisseth the young man; and flattereth with wooing cheer, that is, unrestfully, and without shame, and saith,

¹⁴ I owed sacrifices for health; today I have yielded my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I went out into thy meeting, and I desired to see thee; and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have made my bed with cords, I have arrayed it with tapets painted or with painted tapets of Egypt;

¹⁷ I have besprinkled my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and canel.

¹⁸ Come thou, be we filled with touching of teats, and use we embracings that be coveted; till the day begin to be clear.

¹⁹ For mine husband is not in his house; he is gone a full long way.

²⁰ He took with him a bag of money; he shall turn again into his house in the day of the full moon.

²¹ She bound him with many words; and she drew forth him with flatterings of lips.

²² Anon he as an ox led to slain sacrifice pursueth or followeth her, and as a jolly lamb and unknowing; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn to bonds,

³ Bind thou it in thy fingers; write thou it in the tables of thine heart. (Bind thou it on thy fingers; write thou it on the tablets of thy heart.)

⁴ Say thou to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call thou prudence thy love (or and call thou understanding, thy friend).

⁵ That it keep thee from a strange woman; and from an alien woman, that maketh her words sweet. (So that they keep thee safe from a strange woman; yea, from an unknown woman, who maketh her words sweet.)

⁶ (For she saith), For why from the window of mine house, by the lattice, I beheld;

⁷ and I see little children, that is, fools that have little wit. I behold a young man coward, (and I see fools, who have little intelligence. I behold a cowardly young man,)

⁸ that passeth by the streets, beside the corner, (or who passeth along the street, beside the corner); and he goeth nigh the way of her house,

⁹ in dark time, when the day draweth to night, in the darkness and mist in the night.

¹⁰ And lo! a woman, made ready with (the) ornament of an whore to deceive souls, meeteth him,

¹¹ and she is a jangler, and going about, and unpatient of rest, and may not stand in the house with her feet; (and she is a gossip, who goeth about restlessly, yea, who cannot stand still in her own house;)

¹² and now withoutforth, now in the streets, now beside the corners, she ambusheth (him).

¹³ And she taketh (hold of), and kisseth the young man; and flattereth (him) with wooing cheer, that is, unrestful (ly), and without shame, and saith,

¹⁴ I owed sacrifices for health (or I have paid my offerings for my deliverance); today I have yielded my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I went out into thy meeting, and I desired to see thee; and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have made (ready) my bed with cords, I have arrayed it with tapets painted of Egypt; (I have prepared my bed, yea, I have arrayed it with coloured tapestries from Egypt;)

¹⁷ I have besprinkled my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and canel (or and cinnamon).

¹⁸ Come thou, be we filled with touching of teats, and use we embracings that be coveted (or and with desired embraces); till the day begin to be clear.

¹⁹ For mine husband is not in his house; he is gone (away) a full long way.

²⁰ He took with him a bag of money; he shall turn again in to his house in the day of the full moon. (He took a bag of money with him; and he shall not return to his house until the day of the full moon.)

²¹ She bound him with many words; and she drew forth him with flatterings of lips. (And so she bound him with many words; and she drew him forth with the flattery from her lips.)

²² Anon he as an ox led to slain sacrifice followeth her, and as a jolly lamb and unknowing; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn to bonds, (And so at once he followeth her, like an ox led away to be slain for the offering, and like a jolly, and unknowing, lamb; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn into bonds,)

³ Bind them on thy fingers, Write them on the tablet of thy heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom, 'My sister Thou art.' And cry to understanding, 'Kinswoman!'

⁵ To preserve thee from a strange woman, From a stranger who hath made smooth her sayings.

⁶ For, at a window of my house, Through my casement I have looked out,

⁷ And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding,

⁸ Passing on in the street, near her corner, And the way to her house he doth step,

⁹ In the twilight — in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness.

¹⁰ And, lo, a woman to meet him — (A harlot's dress, and watchful of heart,

¹¹ Noisy she is, and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not.

¹² Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait) —

¹³ And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him,

¹⁴ 'Sacrifices of peace-offerings are by me, To-day I have completed my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee.

¹⁶ With ornamental coverings I decked my couch, Carved works — cotton of Egypt.

¹⁷ I sprinkled my bed — myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, we are filled with loves till the morning, We delight ourselves in loves.

¹⁹ For the man is not in his house, He hath gone on a long journey.

²⁰ A bag of money he hath taken in his hand, At the day of the new moon he cometh to his house.'

²¹ She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him.

²² He is going after her straightway, As an ox unto the slaughter he cometh, And as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool,