Proverbs 9
1 Wisedome hath built her house, and hewen out her seuen pillars.
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 She hath killed her vitailes, drawen her wine, and prepared her table.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maydens and cryeth vpon the highest places of the citie, saying,
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, she sayth,
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says,
5 Come, and eate of my meate, and drinke of the wine that I haue drawen.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Forsake your way, ye foolish, and ye shall liue: and walke in the way of vnderstanding.
Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 He that reproueth a scorner, purchaseth to himselfe shame: and he that rebuketh the wicked, getteth himselfe a blot.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Rebuke not a scorner, least he hate thee: but rebuke a wise man, and he will loue thee.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love thee.
9 Giue admonition to the wise, and he will be the wiser: teache a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 The beginning of wisedome is the feare of the Lord, and the knowledge of holy things, is vnderstanding.
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.
11 For thy dayes shalbe multiplied by me, and the yeeres of thy life shalbe augmented.
For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy selfe, and if thou be a scorner, thou alone shalt suffer.
Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt 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.
13 A foolish woman is troublesome: she is ignorant, and knoweth nothing.
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.
14 But she sitteth at the doore of her house on a seate in the hie places of the citie,
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 To call them that passe by the way, that go right on their way, saying,
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, shee sayth also,
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
17 Stollen waters are sweete, and hid bread is pleasant.
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
