9 Wisdom has built her house.
    She has carved out her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her meat.
    She has mixed her wine.
    She has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her maidens.
    She cries from the highest places of the city:
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
⁵ “Come, eat some of my bread,
    Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live.
    Walk in the way of understanding.”

⁷ One who corrects a mocker invites insult.
    One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
⁸ Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you.
    Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
⁹ Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser.
    Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
¹⁰ The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied.
    The years of your life will be increased.
¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
    If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud,
    undisciplined, and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat in the high places of the city,
¹⁵ to call to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their ways,
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.”
    As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet.
    Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.^[a]