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
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