Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
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.
8 Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
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.
9 Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 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.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
