Study Desk

For the lippes of a strange woman drop as an honie combe, and her mouth is more soft then oyle.

For why shouldest thou delite, my sonne, in a strange woman, or embrace the bosome of a stranger?

For the waies of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his pathes.

Hee shall die for faute of instruction, and shall goe astraie through his great follie.

My sonne, if thou be surety for thy neighbour, and hast striken hands with the stranger,

For shee hauing no guide, gouernour, nor ruler,

It shall leade thee, when thou walkest: it shall watch for thee, when thou sleepest, and when thou wakest, it shall talke with thee.

For the commandement is a lanterne, and instruction a light: and corrections for instruction are the way of life,

For because of the whorish woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread, and a woman wil hunt for the precious life of a man.

For ielousie is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

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

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

For shee hath caused many to fall downe wounded, & the strong men are all slaine by her.

Giue eare, for I will speake of excellent things, and the opening of my lippes, shall teache things that be right.

For my mouth shall speake the trueth, and my lippes abhorre wickednesse.

For wisdome is better then precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared vnto her.

Therefore nowe hearken, O children, vnto me: for blessed are they that keepe my wayes.

For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shal obteine fauour of the Lord.

For thy dayes shalbe multiplied by me, and the yeeres of thy life shalbe augmented.

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy selfe, and if thou be a scorner, thou alone shalt suffer.