Proverbs 9

Chapter 9

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.2 She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.”7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.9 Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.11 Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Folly Calls for a Hearing

13 The woman named Folly is brash.
She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.14 She sits in her doorway
on the heights overlooking the city.15 She calls out to men going by
who are minding their own business.16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,17 “Stolen water is refreshing;
food eaten in secret tastes the best!”18 But little do they know that the dead are there.
Her guests are in the depths of the grave.t

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn 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 maids, and she calls
from the highest point of the city.

4 “Let all who are simple come in here!”
she says to those who lack judgment.

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

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

7 “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his 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 The woman Folly is loud;
she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

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 all who are simple come in here!”
she says to those who lack judgment.

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 in the depths of the grave.