Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;

1Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.

2she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;

2She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.

3she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,

3She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,

4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,

4Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:

5Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.

5Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.

6Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.

6Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.

7He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.

7He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.

8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.

8Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.

9Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he will increase learning.

9Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.

10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.

10The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind

11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.

11For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.

12If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.

13The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.

13The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.

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

14Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,

15to call passers-by who go right on their ways:

15Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:

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

16Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:

17Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.

17Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.

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

18But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.