Proverbs 9

Wisdom's Invitation

1Wisdom has built her house,

She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;

She has also set her table;

3She has sent out her maidens, she calls

From the tops of the heights of the city:

4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks understanding she says,

5“Come, eat of my food

And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6“Forsake your folly and live,

And proceed in the way of understanding.”

7He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,

And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,

Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

9Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,

Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

13The woman of folly is boisterous,

She is naive and knows nothing.

14She sits at the doorway of her house,

On a seat by the high places of the city,

15Calling to those who pass by,

Who are making their paths straight:

16“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”

And to him who lacks understanding she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet;

And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18But he does not know that the dead are there,

That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.