Proverbs 9

The Consequences of Accepting Wisdom or Folly1

9:1 Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved out its seven pillars.2

9:2 She has prepared her meat,3 she has mixed her wine;

she also has arranged her table.4

9:3 She has sent out her female servants;

she calls out on the highest places5 of the city.

9:4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”

she says6 to those7 who lack understanding.8

9:5 “Come, eat9 some of my food,

and drink some of the wine I have mixed.10

9:6 Abandon your foolish ways11 so that you may live,12

and proceed13 in the way of understanding.”

9:7 Whoever corrects14 a mocker is asking for15 insult;16

whoever reproves a wicked person receives17 abuse.

9:8 Do not reprove18 a mocker or19 he will hate you;

reprove a wise person and he will love you.

9:9 Give instruction20 to a wise person,21 and he will become wiser still;

teach22 a righteous person and he will add to his23 learning.

9:10 The beginning24 of wisdom is to fear the Lord,25

and acknowledging26 the Holy One27 is understanding.

9:11 For because28 of me your days will be many,

and years will be added29 to your life.

9:12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage,30

but if you are a mocker,31 you alone must32 bear it.33

9:13 The woman called Folly34 is brash,35

she is naive36 and does not know37 anything.38

9:14 So she sits at the door of her house,

on a seat at the highest point of the city,

9:15 calling out39 to those who are passing by her40 in the way,41

who go straight42 on their way.

9:16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,”

she says to those who lack understanding.43

9:17 “Stolen waters44 are sweet,

and food obtained in secret45 is pleasant!”

9:18 But they do not realize46 that the dead47 are there,

that her guests are in the depths of the grave.48

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