Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
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 beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
