Proverbs

¹Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. ²She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table. ³She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city: ⁴“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, ⁵“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! ⁶Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

⁷One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. ⁸Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you. ⁹Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased. ¹²If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing. ¹⁴She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, ¹⁶“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.