Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
