Proverbs 9:9-18

English Standard Version

⁹ Give instruction^[a] to a wise man, and he will be ^(A)still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will ^(B)increase in learning.
^10 (C)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and ^(D)the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
¹¹ For by me ^(E)your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
^12 (F)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

^13 (G)The woman Folly is ^(H)loud;
    she is seductive^[b] and ^(I)knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on ^(J)the highest places of the town,
¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,
    who are ^(K)going straight on their way,
^16 (L)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
^17 (M)“Stolen water is sweet,
    and ^(N)bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know ^(O)that the dead^[c] are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.