Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove 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 to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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 All-holy is understanding.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'
If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
13 The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 And she sitteth at the door 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 town,
15 To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
