Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
She hath killed her fatlings; She hath mingled her wine; Yea, she hath furnished her table.
3 She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth aloud upon the highest places of the city:
4 “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” To him that is void of understanding she saith,
5 “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
“Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled!
6 Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
Forsake folly, and live! And go forward in the way of understanding!
7 Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
“He who correcteth a scoffer Bringeth shame upon himself; And he who rebuketh the wicked Bringeth upon himself a stain.
8 Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
Rebuke not a scoffer, lest he hate thee; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Most Holy is understanding.
11 For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
Yea, through me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou art a scoffer, thou alone must bear it.”
13 A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
The foolish woman is clamorous; She is very simple, and careth for nothing.
14 sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
She sitteth at the door of her house, Upon a seat in the high places of the city,
15 so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
To call aloud to those that pass by, Who go straight forward in their ways,
16 “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17 “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
“Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
