Proverbs 9

The Way of Wisdom

1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,5 Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.7 He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just 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 understanding.11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.

The Way of Folly

13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:16 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,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 hell.

PROVERBS 9

Wisdom Gives a Feast

1 Wisdom has built her house
with its seven columns.

2 She has prepared the meat
and set out the wine.
Her feast is ready.

3 She has sent her servant women
to announce her invitation
from the highest hills:

4 “Everyone who is ignorant
or foolish is invited!

5 All of you are welcome
to my meat and wine.

6 If you want to live,
give up your foolishness
and let understanding
guide your steps.”

True Wisdom

7 Correct a worthless bragger,
and all you will get
are insults and injuries.

8 Any bragger you correct
will only hate you.
But if you correct someone
who has common sense,
you will be loved.

9 If you have good sense,
instruction will help you
to have even better sense.
And if you live right,
education will help you
to know even more.

10  t Respect and obey the [Lord]!
This is the beginning
of wisdom.t
To have understanding,
you must know the Holy God.

11 I am Wisdom. If you follow me,
you will live a long time.

12 Good sense is good for you,
but if you brag,
you hurt yourself.

A Foolish Invitation

13 Stupidityt is reckless,
senseless, and foolish.

14 She sits in front of her house
and on the highest hills
in the town.

15 She shouts to everyone
who passes by,

16 “If you are stupid,
come on inside!”
And to every fool she says,

17 “Stolen water tastes best,
and the food you eat in secret
tastes best of all.”

18 None who listen to Stupidity
understand that her guests
are as good as dead.