Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her own house; she has carved seven pillars out of rocks.⋮

2 She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.⋮

3 She has sent out her maids; she calls out from the highest points of the city,⋮

4 “Who is naive? Let him turn aside here!” To the one lacking good sense she speaks.⋮

5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.⋮

6 Leave your naive actions and live; walk in the path of understanding.⋮

7 Whoever disciplines a mocker receives abuse, and whoever rebukes a wicked person receives insults.⋮

8 Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.⋮

9 Give to a wise person, and he will become even wiser; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.⋮

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.⋮

11 For through me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.⋮

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”⋮

13 The woman of foolishness is ignorant; she is untaught and knows nothing.⋮

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the highest places of the town.⋮

15 She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.⋮

16 “Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who have no sense.⋮

17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is delicious.”⋮

18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her invited guests are in the depths of Sheol.⋮