Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:⋮

2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.⋮

3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,⋮

4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,⋮

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

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.⋮

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.⋮

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke 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 knoweth nothing.⋮

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,⋮

15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:⋮

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,⋮

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.⋮

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.⋮