Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.footnote a

3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

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

6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

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

9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

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

12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

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

15To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.footnote b

18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

The Way of Wisdom

1Wisdom has built her house;she has carved outfootnote aher seven pillars. 2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her maidservants;she calls out from the heights of the city. 4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”she says to him who lacks judgment. 5“Come, eat my breadand drink the wine I have mixed. 6Leave your folly behind, and you will live;walk in the way of understanding.”

7He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself;he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. 8Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For through wisdomfootnote byour days will be multiplied,and years will be added to your life. 12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage;but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

The Way of Folly

13The woman named Folly is loud;she is naive and knows nothing. 14She sits at the door of her house,on a seat in the heights of the city, 15calling out to those who pass by,who make their paths straight. 16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”she says to him who lacks judgment. 17“Stolen water is sweet,and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” 18But they do not know that the deadfootnote care there,that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.