The Way of Wisdom
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
from the highest places in the town,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways,a and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
and walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instructionb to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Folly
13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductivec and knows nothing.
13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductivec and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the deadd are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.