Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars.

2 She has slaughtered her slaughter; she has mixed her wine; indeed, she has arranged her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls out on the tops of the heights of the city:

4 “Who [is] simple? Let him turn in here!” To the lacking of heart, she says to him:

5 “Come, feed on my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Forsake foolishness, and live, and walk in the way of understanding.”

7 The one correcting one scoffing is receiving for himself shame, and the one rebuking a wicked one, his blemish.

8 Do not rebuke one scoffing, lest he hate you; Give reproof to a wise one, and he will love you.

9 Give to a wise one, and he will be wiser still; give knowledge to a righteous one, and he will increase in learning.

10 The beginning of wisdom [is] the fear of YHWH, and knowledge of the Holy One [is] understanding.

11 For through [wisdom] your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.

12 If you have been wise, you have been wise for yourself, and [if] you have scoffed, you will bear [it] for yourself alone.

13 The woman of foolishness roars; [she is] simple, and she has not known anything.

14 And she sits at the door of her house, upon a seat in the heights of the city,

15 to call to those passing by the way, those going straight [on] their paths:

16 “Who [is] simple? Let him turn in here!” And the lacking of heart, she says to him:

17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecies is pleasant.”

18 He does not know that the Rephaim [are] there; her called ones [are] in the depths of Sheol.