Proverbs 9
The Way of Wisdom
(Proverbs 1:1–7)
¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out 1 her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
⁵ “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
⁷ He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For through wisdom 2 your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
The Way of Folly
¹³ The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
¹⁸ But they do not know that the dead 3 are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.