Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from 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 here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk 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.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
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 knowledge of holiness is prudence.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will 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 you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
She sits at the door of her house, on 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 to those who pass by, who go straight on 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 here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
