Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:

2 She hath killed her beasts; She hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table:

3 She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city:

4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

5 Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

7 He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 The foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knoweth nothing.

14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 9

Wisdom's 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 boaster,
and all you will get
are insults and injuries.

8 Any boaster 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 Respect and obey the Lord!t
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 boast,
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.