Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built 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 Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 Come, eat 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 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh 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 shall hate thee: rebuke 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 just [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 [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 shalt be wise for thyself: but [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 A 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 For 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 passengers who go right 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 hither: and [as for] him that wanteth 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.”
