Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set 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 out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
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.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
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.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll 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.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
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 are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
13 The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
