Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4 “Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8 So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
13 Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
15 calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16 “Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
