Lest strangers [and false teachings] take their fill of your strength and wealth and your labors go to the house of an alien [from God]–
Whoever loves skillful and godly Wisdom rejoices his father, but he who associates with harlots wastes his substance.
Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy kings.
And you groan and mourn when your end comes, when your flesh and body are consumed,
Lest you give your honor to others and your years to those without mercy,
For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares [as with a hook] the precious life [of a man].
He will not consider any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment]; neither will he be satisfied, though you offer him many gifts and bribes.
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knows it not; yes, gray hairs are sprinkled here and there upon him, and he does not know it.
But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-] fattened calf!