Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her own house; she has carved seven pillars out of rocks.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
She has sent out her maids; she calls out from the highest points of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
“Who is naive? Let him turn aside here!” To the one lacking good sense she speaks.
5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Leave your naive actions and live; walk in the path of understanding.
7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Whoever disciplines a mocker receives abuse, and whoever rebukes a wicked person receives insults.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, 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.
Give to a wise person, and he will become even wiser; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
For through 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 are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”
13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
The woman of foolishness is ignorant; she is untaught and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the highest places of the town.
15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
“Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who have no sense.
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is delicious.”
