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.

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.