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Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.

She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.

She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:

`Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

`Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.

Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.

The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it -- shame, And a reprover of the wicked -- his blemish.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.

Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.

10 The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.

11 For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.

12 If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned -- thyself bearest [it].

13 A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.

14 And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- the high places of the city,

15 To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.

16 `Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,

17 `Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'

18 And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom has built(A) her house;
    she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(B)
    she has also set her table.(C)
She has sent out her servants, and she calls(D)
    from the highest point of the city,(E)
    “Let all who are simple(F) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(G) she says,
    “Come,(H) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.(I)
Leave your simple ways and you will live;(J)
    walk in the way of insight.”(K)

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(L)
Do not rebuke mockers(M) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(N)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(O)

10 The fear of the Lord(P) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(Q) is understanding.(R)
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(S)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(T)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(U)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(V)
15 calling out(W) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(X) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(Y)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
  2. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me