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

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.