Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9 – New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom has built her house; she has set up^[a] its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through wisdom^[b] your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

a. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
b. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth Upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; And go in the way of understanding.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: And he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: But if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
A foolish woman is clamorous: She is simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,
To call passengers Who go right on their ways:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: And as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; And that her guests are in the depths of hell.