Proverbs 9
- 1
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.
- 2
She has prepared her meat, she has mixed her wine; she also has arranged her table.
- 3
She has sent out her female servants; she calls out on the highest places of the city.
- 4
“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here.” To those who lack understanding, she has said,
- 5
“Come, eat some of my food, and drink some of the wine I have mixed.
- 6
Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
- 7
Whoever corrects a mocker is asking for insult; whoever reproves a wicked person receives abuse.
- 8
Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you; reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
- 9
Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
- 10
The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.
- 11
For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
- 12
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you have mocked, you alone must bear it.
- 13
The woman called Folly is brash; she is naive and does not know anything.
- 14
And she has sat down at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
- 15
calling out to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on their way.
- 16
“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” To those who lack understanding she has said,
- 17
“Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!”
- 18
But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.