Proverbs 9

¹ Wisdom has built her house; She has hewn out its seven columns. ² She has slaughtered her slaughter; She has blended her wine; Indeed, she has arranged her table. ³ She has sent forth her maidens; She is calling from the peaks of the town heights: ⁴ Whoever is simple, let him withdraw hither, She says to him who has lack of heart wisdom. ⁵ Come, dine on my bread, And drink of the wine I have blended. ⁶ Forsake your simple ways and live, And progress in the way of understanding. ⁷ He who admonishes a mocker is procuring dishonor to himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a blemish. ⁸ Do not reprove a mocker lest he should hate you; Reprove a wise man, and he shall love you. ⁹ Give reproof to a wise man, and he shall be wiser still; Inform a righteous man, and he shall add to his education. ¹⁰ The starting point of wisdom is the fear of Yahweh, And the knowledge of the grand Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days shall increase, And years of life shall be added to you. ¹² If you are wise, you are wise to your gain, And if you mock, you shall bear the results by yourself alone. ¹³ The woman, stupidity, is clamorous and simple, And she does not know anything at all. ¹⁴ She sits at the portal of her house, On a covered seat at the heights of the town, ¹⁵ Calling to those passing on the way, Those going straight along their paths: ¹⁶ Let whoever is simple withdraw hither, And whoever has lack of heart wisdom; And she says to him: ¹⁷ Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in concealments is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he does not know that the Rephaim are there, That those she has called are in the depths of the unseen.