Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.

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

2She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.

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

3She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:

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

4Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:

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

5Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.

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

6Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.

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

7He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself; and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth 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.

8Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke 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.

9Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.

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 the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.

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

11For by me shall thy days 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 be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.

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

13A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,

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

14Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,

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

15To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:

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

16He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:

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

17Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant.

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

18And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

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