Proverbs 9

¹ Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars.

² She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.

³ She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the town,

⁴ "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who is without sense she says,

⁵ "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.

⁶ Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

⁷ He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

¹³ A foolish woman is noisy; she is wanton and knows no shame.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, she takes a seat on the high places of the town,

¹⁵ calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,

¹⁶ "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who is without sense she says,

¹⁷ Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.