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. She has 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 maidens. She cries from the highest places 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!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
Leave your simple ways, and 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.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, 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 person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in 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. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
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 for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, 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 high places of the city,
15 calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
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.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
