Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order her table.
3 She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
She hath sent forth her maidens: she inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
4 Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
Forsake simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
7 He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
8 Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Do not correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
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.
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 beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
13 A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
14 Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
15 To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
16 He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
