Proverbs 9

9TH CHAPTER

Wisdom Hosts a Banquet

¹Wisdom has built her house. 

She has carved out her seven pillars. 

²She has prepared her meat. 

She has mixed her wine. 

She has set her table. 

³She has sent out her servant girls. 

She calls from the highest places in the city, 

⁴“Whoever is gullible turn in here!” 

She says to a person without sense, 

⁵“Come, eat my bread, 

and drink the wine I have mixed. 

⁶Stop being gullible and live. 

Start traveling the road to understanding.” 

Wisdom Prolongs Life

⁷Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse. 

Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt. 

⁸Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. 

Warn a wise person, and he will love you. 

⁹Give ⸤advice⸥ to a wise person, 

and he will become even wiser. 

Teach a righteous person, 

and he will learn more. 

¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

¹¹You will live longer because of me, 

and years will be added to your life. 

¹²If you are wise, your wisdom will help you. 

If you mock, you alone will be held responsible. 

Stupidity Imitates Wisdom’s Banquet

¹³The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant. 

¹⁴She sits at the doorway of her house. 

She is enthroned on the high ground of the city 

¹⁵and calls to those who pass by, 

those minding their own business, 

¹⁶“Whoever is gullible turn in here!” 

She says to a person without sense, 

¹⁷“Stolen waters are sweet, 

and food eaten in secret is tasty.” 

¹⁸But he does not know 

that the souls of the dead are there, 

that her guests are in the depths of hell.