[1] Wisdom has built her house. She has set up its seven pillars. [2] She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine. She has also set her table. [3] She has sent out her servants. She calls out from the highest point of the city. [4] She says, “Let all who are childish come to my house!” She speaks to those who have no sense. She says, [5] “Come and eat my food. Drink the wine I have mixed. [6] Leave your childish ways and you will live. Walk in the way of understanding.” [7] When you correct someone who makes fun of others, you might be laughed at. When you warn a sinner, you might get hurt. [8] Don’t warn those who make fun of others, or they will hate you. Warn those who are wise, and they will love you. [9] Teach a wise person, and they will become even wiser. Teach a person who does right, and they will learn even more. [10] If you want to become wise, you must begin by respecting the LORD. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding. [11] Through wisdom, you will live a long time. Years will be added to your life. [12] If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you make fun of others, you alone will suffer. [13] The woman called Foolishness is wild. She is childish and knows nothing. [14] She sits at the door of her house. She sits at the highest point of the city. [15] She calls out to those who pass by. She calls out to those who go straight on their way. She says, [16] “Let all who are childish come to my house!” She speaks to those who have no sense. [17] She says, “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret tastes good!” [18] But they don’t know that dead people are there. They don’t know that her guests are deep in the place of the dead.
