Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, 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.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
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 wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
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 city,
15 To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
