Proverbs 9

¹Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

²She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

³She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

⁴“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

⁵“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

⁶Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

⁷One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

⁸Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

⁹Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.

¹⁰The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

¹¹For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

¹²If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹⁸But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.