Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that reproveth a wicked man [getteth] himself a blot.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
The foolish woman is clamorous; [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways,
16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
