Proverbiorum 9
1 [Sapientia ædificavit sibi domum: excidit columnas septem.
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 Immolavit victimas suas, miscuit vinum, et proposuit mensam suam.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 Misit ancillas suas ut vocarent ad arcem et ad mœnia civitatis.
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 Si quis est parvulus, veniat ad me. Et insipientibus locuta est:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 Venite, comedite panem meum, et bibite vinum quod miscui vobis.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Relinquite infantiam, et vivite, et ambulate per vias prudentiæ.]
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 [Qui erudit derisorem, ipse injuriam sibi facit, et qui arguit impium, sibi maculam generat.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Noli arguere derisorem, ne oderit te: argue sapientem, et diliget te.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
9 Da sapienti occasionem, et addetur ei sapientia; doce justum, et festinabit accipere.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
10 Principium sapientiæ timor Domini, et scientia sanctorum prudentia.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 Per me enim multiplicabuntur dies tui, et addentur tibi anni vitæ.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 Si sapiens fueris, tibimetipsi eris; si autem illusor, solus portabis malum.]
If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
13 [Mulier stulta et clamosa, plenaque illecebris, et nihil omnino sciens,
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 sedit in foribus domus suæ, super sellam in excelso urbis loco,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 ut vocaret transeuntes per viam, et pergentes itinere suo:
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 Qui est parvulus declinet ad me. Et vecordi locuta est:
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 Aquæ furtivæ dulciores sunt, et panis absconditus suavior.
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
