Proverbs 9

¹Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars—seven. ²She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table. ³She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city: ⁴‘Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.’ Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him, ⁵‘Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled. ⁶Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding. ⁷The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it—shame, And a reprover of the wicked—his blemish. ⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee. ⁹Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning. ¹⁰The commencement of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones is understanding. ¹¹For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life. ¹²If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned—thyself bearest it.

¹³A foolish woman is noisy, Simple, and hath not known what. ¹⁴And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne—the high places of the city, ¹⁵To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight on their paths. ¹⁶‘Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.’ And whoso lacketh heart—she said to him, ¹⁷‘Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.’ ¹⁸And he hath not known that Rephaim are there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

Chapter 10