Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
10 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
