[1] Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; [2] She has slaughtered her cattle, she has mixed her wine; She has also prepared her table; [3] She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: [4] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks a heart of wisdom she says, [5] “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. [6] “Forsake your simplicity and live, And step into the way of understanding.” [7] He who disciplines a scoffer receives disgrace for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man receives injury for himself. [8] Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. [9] Give knowledge to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Make a righteous man know it and he will increase his learning. [10] The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. [11] For by me your days will become many, And years of life will be added to you. [12] If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it. [13] The woman of foolishness is boisterous, A woman of simplicity, and does not know anything. [14] She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, [15] To call to those who pass by that way, Who are making their paths straight: [16] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks a heart of wisdom she says, [17] “Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” [18] But he does not know that the dead are there, That those she called are in the depths of Sheol.
