Proverbs 9
1Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
4“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
13A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
18And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell.
1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.