Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order 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 inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want 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 simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Do not correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love thee.
9 Give to the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One 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 through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
12 If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt 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 of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
