Proverbs 9

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.	1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns;
2 She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.	2 She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table.
3 She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,	3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city:
4 “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:	4 "Let whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks understanding, I say,
5 “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.	5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!
6 Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”	6 Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding.
7 Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.	7 He who corrects an arrogant man earns insult; and he who reproves a wicked man incurs opprobrium.
8 Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.	8 Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.	9 Instruct a wise man, and he becomes still wiser; teach a just man, and he advances in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.	10 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.	11 For by me your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased."
12 If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.	12 If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.
13 A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,	13 The woman Folly is fickle, she is inane, and knows nothing.
14 sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,	14 She sits at the door of her house upon a seat on the city heights,
15 so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:	15 Calling to passers-by as they go on their straight way:
16 “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,	16 "Let whoever is simple turn in here, or who lacks understanding; for to him I say,
17 “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”	17 Stolen water is sweet, and bread gotten secretly is pleasing!"
18 And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell.	18 Little he knows that the shades are there, that in the depths of the nether world are her guests!