Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
Wisdom has built her own house; she has carved seven pillars out of rocks.
2 She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
She has sent out her maids; she calls out from the highest points of the city,
4 “Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
“Who is naive? Let him turn aside here!” To the one lacking good sense she speaks.
5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
Leave your naive actions and live; walk in the path of understanding.
7 If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
Whoever disciplines a mocker receives abuse, and whoever rebukes a wicked person receives insults.
8 So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
Give to a wise person, and he will become even wiser; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10 Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
For through me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”
13 Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
The woman of foolishness is ignorant; she is untaught and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the highest places of the town.
15 calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.
16 “Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
“Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who have no sense.
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is delicious.”
