[1] Wisdom has built her house; she has made it strong with seven columns. [2] She has cooked meat, mixed wine, and put food on the table. [3] She has sent her servant girls to announce from the highest hill in the city, [4] "Whoever needs instruction, come." She invites all the simple people and says, [5] "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have prepared. [6] Leave your old, foolish ways and live! Advance along the path of understanding." [7] Criticize a person who is rude and shows no respect, and you will only get insults. Correct the wicked, and you will only get hurt. [8] Don't correct such people, or they will hate you. But correct those who are wise, and they will love you. [9] Teach the wise, and they will become wiser. Instruct those who live right, and they will gain more knowledge. [10] Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the LORD. Knowledge of the Holy One leads to understanding. [11] Wisdom will help you live longer; she will add years to your life. [12] If you become wise, it will be for your own good. If you are rude and show no respect, you are the one who will suffer. [13] Foolishness is that other woman, who is loud, stupid, and knows nothing. [14] She sits on her chair at the door of her house, up on the highest hill of the city. [15] When people walk by, she calls out to them. They show no interest in her, but still she says, [16] "Whoever needs instruction, come." She invites all the simple people and says, [17] "Stolen water is sweet. Stolen bread tastes good." [18] Those simple people don't realize that her house is full of ghosts and that her guests have entered the world of the dead.
