Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:WEBWisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.WEBShe has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,WEBShe has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,WEB“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.WEB“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.WEBLeave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.WEBOne who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.WEBDon’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.WEBInstruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.WEBThe fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.WEBFor by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.WEBIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

13A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.WEBThe foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,WEBShe sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15To call passengers who go right on their ways:WEBto call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,WEB“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.WEB“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.WEBBut he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.