Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved 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 prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also 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 maidens. She cries from 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 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 simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk 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.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Do not correct 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 the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, 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 Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One 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 will be multiplied. The years of your life will 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 are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
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 city,
15 To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
to call to those who pass by, who go straight 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.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
