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