Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her own house; she has carved seven pillars out of rocks.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She has sent out her maids; she calls out from the highest points of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Who is naive? Let him turn aside here!” To the one lacking good sense she speaks.
5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Leave your naive actions and live; walk in the path of understanding.
7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Whoever disciplines a mocker receives abuse, and whoever rebukes a wicked person receives insults.
8 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
Give to a wise person, and he will become even wiser; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For through me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”
13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
The woman of foolishness is ignorant; she is untaught and knows nothing.
14 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 highest places of the town.
15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who have no sense.
17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is delicious.”
