Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order her table.
3 She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
She hath sent forth her maidens: she inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
4 Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
5 Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
Forsake simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
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.
He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
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 correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
Give to the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
10 The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
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 thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
13 The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
14 Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
15 Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
16 Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
17 Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
