Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
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 come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 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.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 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.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9 Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
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 start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11 For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
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 for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
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 foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
