Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom has built^a her house;

she has set up its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;^b

she has also set her table.^c

She has sent out her servants, and she calls^d

from the highest point of the city,^e

“Let all who are simple^f come to my house!”

To those who have no sense^g she says,

“Come,^h eat my food

and drink the wine I have mixed.ⁱ

Leave your simple ways and you will live;^j

walk in the way of insight.”^k

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.^l

Do not rebuke mockers^m or they will hate you;

rebuke the wise and they will love you.ⁿ

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.^o

The fear of the Lord^p is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One^q is understanding.^r

For through wisdom your days will be many,

and years will be added to your life.^s

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;

if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Folly is an unruly woman;^t

she is simple and knows nothing.^u

She sits at the door of her house,

on a seat at the highest point of the city,^v

calling out^w to those who pass by,

who go straight on their way,

“Let all who are simple come to my house!”

To those who have no sense^x she says,

“Stolen water is sweet;

food eaten in secret is delicious!^y”

But little do they know that the dead are there,

that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^z