Proverbs 9 / 31
- 1
(The Way of Wisdom)
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
- 2
She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
- 3
She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
- 4
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
To him who lacks sense she says,
- 5
"Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
- 6
Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."
- 7
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
- 8
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
- 9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous 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 insight.
- 11
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
- 12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
- 13(The Way of Folly)
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
- 14
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
- 15
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
- 16
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
And to him who lacks sense she says,
- 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 Sheol.