Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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 the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'
13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
