Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her 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; she has also furnished 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 maidens: she cries on the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that wants understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot.
8 Do not correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will 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.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
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 knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
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 be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.
13 The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
To call passengers who go 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,
Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that wants understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
