Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
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; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
