Proverbs 9

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

1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.

3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.

5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”

6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.

7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

8 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.

13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.

15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.

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, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”

17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.