Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
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 beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
