Proverbs 9:1-10:12
Modern English Version
The Way of Wisdom
9 Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 she has killed her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
she has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens,
she cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.”
As for him who wants understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat of my bread,
and drink of the wine which I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live,
and go in the way of understanding.”
7 He who reproves a scorner gets shame for himself,
and he who rebukes a wicked man gets hurt.
8 Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you;
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser;
teach a just 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 understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and the years of your life will be increased.
12 If you are wise, you will be wise for yourself,
but if you scorn, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Foolishness
13 A foolish woman is clamorous;
she is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call those who pass by
who go right on their way:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.”
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
and that her guests are in the depths of the grave.
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord will not allow the soul of the righteous to famish,
but He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He becomes poor who deals with a slack hand,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the just,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments,
but a prating fool will fall.
9 He who walks uprightly walks surely,
but he who perverts his ways will be known.
10 He who winks with the eye causes sorrow,
but a prating fool will fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all sins.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.