1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; |
2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. |
3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, |
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, |
5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. |
6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. |
7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. |
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. |
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. |
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. |
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. |
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone." |
13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. |
14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, |
15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: |
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, |
17 "Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." |
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell. |