Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order 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 inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, 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 simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Do not correct 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 the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
10 The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to 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 of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, 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 of secrecy is pleasant.”
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
