Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mixed her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon 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 that lacketh understanding, she saith to him,
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mixed.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just 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: and 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 thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt 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 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 For 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 high places of the town,
15 To call those who pass by who go right on their ways:
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him,
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
