Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 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.
The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will 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.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
