Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
