Proverbs 9

¹ Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved out its seven pillars.

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

³ She has sent out her servant girls;
she calls from the highest point of the city:

⁴ "Let whoever is naive turn in here!"
To those who lack sense she says:

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

⁶ Leave your naive ways and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding."

⁷ Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

⁸ Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.

⁹ Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

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

¹¹ For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

¹³ Folly is a loud woman;
she is naive and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,

¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way:

¹⁶ "Let whoever is naive turn in here!"
To those who lack sense she says:

¹⁷ "Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!"

¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in Sheol.