Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will 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 foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
