- 1
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
- 2
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
- 3
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
- 4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- 5
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
- 6
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
- 7
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
- 8
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
- 9
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
- 10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- 11
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
- 12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
- 13
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
- 14
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
- 15
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
- 16
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- 17
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
- 18
But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Bible: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain, via eBible.org. Footnotes, section headings and acrostic letters are not reproduced.