Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
9 Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
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 beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
13 A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
