Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbours; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
