< Proverbs 9 >
1 Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath 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 hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath 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 hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon 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,
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith 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 reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] 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 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 [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 thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy 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 thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt 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 knoweth nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
For she sitteth 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,
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the departed are there; that in the depths of the nether world are her guests. (Sheol )
But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell. (Sheol )