Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he will increase learning.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
