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The Way of Wisdom

vWisdom has built her house;

she has hewn her wseven xpillars.

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

she has also aset her table.

She has bsent out her young women to ccall

from dthe highest places in the town,

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

fTo him who lacks sense she says,

“Come, geat of my bread

and hdrink of zthe wine I have mixed.

Leave iyour simple ways,1 and jlive,

kand walk in the way of insight.”

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

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

mreprove a wise man, and he will love you.

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.

The Way of Folly

13  tThe woman Folly is uloud;

she is seductive3 and vknows nothing.

14  She sits at the door of her house;

she takes a seat on wthe highest places of the town,

15  calling to those who pass by,

who are xgoing straight on their way,

16  y“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

And to him who lacks sense she says,

17  z“Stolen water is sweet,

and abread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18  But he does not know bthat the dead4 are there,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

ESV

About English Standard Version

The English Standard Version™ is founded on the conviction that the words of the Bible are the very words of God. And because the words themselves—not just the thoughts or ideas—are inspired by God, each word must be translated with the greatest precision and accuracy. As Jesus Himself stressed, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

This passion for God’s Word is the driving force behind the translation of the ESV™ Bible. The English Standard Version™ does not try to “improve” on the original in light of today’s culture or by using trendy language. Instead, the utmost care has been taken to express God’s Word in English that most closely captures the meaning of the original, with understandability, beauty, and impact.

Copyright

The Classic Reference Edition, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version
Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition (2016)

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