Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Forsake 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.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste 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 the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
