Proverbs 9

Wisdom Hosts a Banquet

1 Wisdom has built her house.She has carved out her seven pillars.2 She has prepared her meat.She has mixed her wine.She has set her table.3 She has sent out her servant girls.She calls from the highest places in the city,4 “Whoever is gullible turn in here!”She says to a person without sense,5 “Come, eat my bread,and drink the wine I have mixed.6 Stop being gullible and live.Start traveling the road to understanding.”

Wisdom Prolongs Life

7 Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse.Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.Warn a wise person, and he will love you.9 Give advice to a wise person,and he will become even wiser.Teach a righteous person,and he will learn more.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.11 You will live longer because of me,and years will be added to your life.12 If you are wise, your wisdom will help you.If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

Stupidity Imitates Wisdom’s Banquet

13 The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant.t14 She sits at the doorway of her house.She is enthroned on the high ground of the city15 and calls to those who pass by,those minding their own business,16 “Whoever is gullible turn in here!”She says to a person without sense,17 “Stolen waters are sweet,and food eaten in secret is tasty.”18 But he does not knowthat the souls of the dead are there,that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Proverbs 9

The Consequences of Accepting Wisdom or Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved out its seven pillars.s

2 She has prepared her meat,t she has mixed her wine;
she also has arranged her table.s

3 She has sent out her female servants;
she calls out on the highest placest of the city.

4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
she sayst to thoset who lack understanding.t

5 “Come, eatt some of my food,
and drink some of the wine I have mixed.ts

6 Abandon your foolish wayst so that you may live,t
and proceedt in the way of understanding.”

7 Whoever correctst a mocker is asking fort insult;t
whoever reproves a wicked person receivest abuse.

8 Do not reprovet a mocker ort he will hate you;
reprove a wise person and he will love you.

9 Give instructiont to a wise person,s and he will become wiser still;
teacht a righteous person and he will add to hist learning.

10 The beginnings of wisdom is to fear the Lord,t
and acknowledgingt the Holy Onet is understanding.

11 For becauset of me your days will be many,
and years will be addedt to your life.

12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage,t
but if you are a mocker,t you alone mustt bear it.s

13 The woman called Follyt is brash,t
she is naivet and does not knowt anything.s

14 So she sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling outt to those who are passing by hert in the way,t
who go straightt on their way.

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,”
she says to those who lack understanding.t

17 “Stolen waterss are sweet,
and food obtained in secrett is pleasant!”

18 But they do not realizet that the deads are there,
that her guests are in the depths of the grave.ss