The Way of Wisdom

1Wisdom has built her house;

she has hewn her seven pillars.

2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.

3She has sent out her young women to call

from the highest places in the town,

4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks sense she says,

5“Come, eat of my bread

and drink of the wine I have mixed.

6Leave your simple ways,9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple and live,

and walk in the way of insight.”

7Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9Give instruction9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

11For by me your days will be multiplied,

and years will be added to your life.

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;

if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The Way of Folly

13The woman Folly is loud;

she is seductive9:13 Or full of simpleness and knows nothing.

14She sits at the door of her house;

she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

15calling to those who pass by,

who are going straight on their way,

16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

And to him who lacks sense she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet,

and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18But he does not know that the dead9:18 Hebrew Rephaim are there,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.