deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go into her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

ii. 10, 11, 16-20.

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. xxii. 14.

At the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night and, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart. So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take

our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: he hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

viii. 6-27.

Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any

ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread; and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

vi. 23-29.

Folly and Fools.

PRUDENT man concealeth knowledge:

but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolish

ness.

xii. 23.

A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

xxix. II.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his

way but the folly of fools is deceit.

xiv. 8.

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

xiv. 3

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

xii. 15.

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

xii. 16.

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

xxvii. 3.

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

x. 23.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

xvii. 12.

The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

xix. 3.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less

do lying lips a prince.

xvii. 7.

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

xxiii. 9.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.