< Proverbs 9 >
1 Wisdom hath builded 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 beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5 Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that reproveth a wicked man [getteth] himself a blot.
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
13 The foolish woman is clamorous; [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14 And she sitteth 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 heights of the city,
15 To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways,
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (Sheol )
But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (Sheol )