Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth upon 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 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that reproveth a wicked man [getteth] himself a blot.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, 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.
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 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 holiness is prudence.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt 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 clamorous; [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 And she sitteth 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 them that pass by, who go right on their ways,
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
