Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:

1Wisdom has built her house and carved out its seven pillars.

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

2She has prepared her meat, mixed her wine, and set her table.

3She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city:

3She has sent out her servant girls to call out from the highest points of the city.

4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

4'Whoever is naive, come in here!' she says to those who lack good judgment.

5Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

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

6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

6Leave your foolish ways behind and live; walk in the path of understanding.'

7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

7Anyone who corrects a mocker will be insulted, and whoever rebukes a wicked person will get hurt.

8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

8Do not bother correcting a mocker, or he will hate you; correct a wise person, and he will love you.

9Giveinstructionto a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

9Instruct a wise person, and he will become even wiser; teach a righteous person, and he will learn even more.

10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

10Fearing the LORD is the first step toward wisdom, and knowing the Holy One is true understanding.

11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

11Through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.

12If you are wise, you are the one who benefits; but if you mock others, you alone will suffer for it.

13The foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knoweth nothing.

13The woman named Folly is loud, ignorant, and doesn't care about the truth.

14And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

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

15To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

15She calls out to people passing by, who are just minding their own business.

16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

16'Whoever is naive, come in here!' she says to those who lack good judgment.

17Stolen waters are sweet, And breadeatenin secret is pleasant.

17'Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes best.'

18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

18But they don't realize that the spirits of the dead are there, and that her guests are already deep in the grave.