Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her seven pillars;

2She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table.

3She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, Upon the highest places of the city:

4‘Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither’; As for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

5‘Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

7He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, And he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.

8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

9Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.

11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

12If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.’

13The woman Folly is riotous; She is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.

14And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

15To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

16‘Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither’; And as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

17‘Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’

18But he knoweth not that the shades are there; That her guests are in the depths of the nether-world.