Proverbs Monthly

9 ¶ Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars:

² She has killed her sacrifice; she has mingled her wine; and she has furnished her table.

³ She has sent forth her maidens; she cries upon the highest places of the city,

⁴ whosoever is simple, let him turn in here; as for those that lack understanding, {Heb. lacking of heart} she saith unto him,

⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

⁶ Forsake that which is foolish and live and go in the way of understanding.

⁷ He that chastens a scorner brings shame unto himself, and he that chastens a wicked man brings himself a blot.

⁸ Chasten not a scorner lest he hate thee; chasten a wise man, and he will love thee.

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 is understanding.

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

¹² If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

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 to those who pass by the way, to those who straighten their ways;

¹⁶ Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here; and as for him that lacks understanding, she saith unto 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 Sheol.