Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
5 'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
9 Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'
Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
13 The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
17 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
