CHAPTER XX.
Take heed, my son, and hearken unto the words of Artemas, for there are many that will give thee counsel, yet wisdom cometh only from the few.
2 Depart not from the narrow path of virtue, for he that steppeth from the duck board, assuredly, he getteth him wet feet.
3 Therefore, make thy life wisely, O my son, lest thy neighbour speak ill concerning thee.
4 For the way of the transgressor, it is soft, needing a light tread and without weight. And he that leaveth his footprint behind, his foolishness doth condemn him.
5 But whosoever sinneth with prudence, that man shall be exalted unto heaven, and his name, it shall exhale a perfume very sweet.
6 A damsel blusheth because of thee; verily, she is sick of love. If there be an asp in the house, embrace it; it were better this than that.
7 For the thongs with which thou thinkest to have bound her, fool! they are knotted about thyself.
8 The wages of sin is death, but a wife may be given even unto the righteous.
9 Beware of thy wife when she forgiveth thee. When she sayeth unto thee, What matter the wildness of thy young oats, then shalt thou take care.
10 Verily, she schemeth only that she may draw thee on. And whatsoever thou shalt say, that will she surely have up against thee.
11 Neither will she cease from reminding thee concerning all thy wickedness, digging up thine ill-sown fields continually.
12 For in this manner will she show thee how deep are the depths of thy vileness. And the forgiveness of so much, shall it not signify the largeness of her heart?
13 Now there is a way unto the management of a wife, and a manner of bringing her up.
14 For the wise man, he speaketh with his mouth, and he saith unto her, Thou art fair, my love, my spouse; thou art fair.
15 Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes; with the other also hast thou taken me, and I am become exceedingly thine.
16 And after he has said all these things unto her, and more also, then doth he send her out for to gather him victuals. And, behold, she goeth forth content.
17 But the fool, he worketh the raw skin unto his bones for love of her, neither seeketh he requital because of it. And, lo, the woman complaineth for ever.
18 Remember thy life, that thou livest it, for it was given unto thee for the purpose;
19 And he that counselleth thee in otherwise, he is a fool that doth threaten to rob thee of thy mite.
20 By a damsel's kisses shalt thou know her; and the kiss of thy best beloved, it shall be fraught with disappointment.
21 For if she hath not met the lips of other men, then shall her kisses lack seasoning.
22 But if she knoweth the way, assuredly, some other hath been at her.
23 The damsel crieth out in her foolishness, saying, A little love, and a little love, and a little love. And the young man fleeth before her.
24 But the wise virgin maketh a discreet noise; and she taketh him unawares.