Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 She has sent forth her maidens: she cries on 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 here: as for him that wants understanding, she says 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 reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets 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 hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
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 your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 If you be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall 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 knows nothing.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits 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 here: and as for him that wants understanding, she says 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.”
