The Seductress’s Deceptive Invitation

And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market,

and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face

she says to him, “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so

now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed

my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our

fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is