Proverbs 9

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

9 Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up^[a] her seven pillars.
² She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
    she has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her maids to call
    from the highest places in the town,
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who is without sense she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave simpleness,^[b] and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

⁷ He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
⁹ Give instruction^[c] to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

¹³ A foolish woman is noisy;
    she is wanton^[d] and knows no shame.^[e]
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who is without sense she says,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead^[f] are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.