The Way of Wisdom

9 vWisdom has built her house;

she has hewn her wseven xpillars.

2  She has yslaughtered her beasts; she has zmixed her wine;

she has also aset her table.

3  She has bsent out her young women to ccall

from dthe highest places in the town,

4  e“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

fTo him who lacks sense she says,

5  “Come, geat of my bread

and hdrink of zthe wine I have mixed.

6  Leave iyour simple ways,1 and jlive,

kand walk in the way of insight.”

7  Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

8  lDo not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

mreprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9  Give instruction2 to a wise man, and he will be nstill wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will oincrease in learning.

10  pThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and qthe knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

11  For by me ryour days will be multiplied,

and years will be added to your life.

12  sIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself;

if you scoff, you alone will bear it.