Proverbs, 9

¹ True wisdom has built its house; It has carved^*1 out its seven pillars.

² It has fully prepared its meat;^*1 It has mixed its wine; It has also arranged its table.

³ It has sent out its female servants To call out from the heights above the city:

⁴ “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.” She says to the one lacking good sense:^*1

⁵ “Come, eat my bread And share in drinking the wine that I have mixed.

⁶ Leave behind your inexperience^*1 and live; Walk forward in the way of understanding.”

⁷ The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor, And whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt.

⁸ Do not reprove a ridiculer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

⁹ Share with a wise person, and he will become wiser. Teach someone righteous, and he will add to his learning.

¹⁰ The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, And knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.

¹¹ For by me your days will be many, And years will be added to your life.

¹² If you become wise, you are wise to your own advantage, But if you are a ridiculer, you alone will bear it.

¹³ A stupid woman is loud. She is ignorant and knows absolutely nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the entrance of her house On a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ Calling out to those passing by, To those walking straight ahead on their way:

¹⁶ “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.” She says to those lacking good sense:^*1

¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet, And food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹⁸ But he does not know that those powerless in death are there, That her guests are in the depths of the Grave.^*1