Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up 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 in a bowl, and prepared her table.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
“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 wine which I have mingled for you.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
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 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. 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 your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbours; 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 you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
She sits 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 those who pass by, who go straight 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,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
