Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built 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. She has 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 maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, 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.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
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. The 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 by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
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 wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
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 city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
