Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars — seven.
Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.
She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order her table.
3 She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:
She hath sent forth her maidens: she inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
4 'Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
5 'Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.
“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.
Forsake simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
7 The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it — shame, And a reprover of the wicked — his blemish.
He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.
Do not correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.
Give to the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
10 The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.
The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.
For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
12 If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned — thyself bearest [it].
If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
13 A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.
The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
14 And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne — the high places of the city,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
15 To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
16 'Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart — she said to him,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,
17 'Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
