[1] Wisdom has built her house and made seven columns for it. [2] She has had an animal killed for a feast, mixed spices in the wine, and set the table. [3] She has sent her servant women to call out from the highest place in town: [4] "Come in, ignorant people!" And to the foolish she says, [5] "Come, eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. [6] Leave the company of ignorant people, and live. Follow the way of knowledge." [7] If you correct conceited people, you will only be insulted. If you reprimand evil people, you will only get hurt. [8] Never correct conceited people; they will hate you for it. But if you correct the wise, they will respect you. [9] Anything you say to the wise will make them wiser. Whatever you tell the righteous will add to their knowledge. [10] To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. [11] Wisdom will add years to your life. [12] You are the one who will profit if you have wisdom, and if you reject it, you are the one who will suffer. [13] Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant, shameless woman. [14] She sits at the door of her house or on a seat in the highest part of town, [15] and calls out to people passing by, who are minding their own business: [16] "Come in, ignorant people!" To the foolish she says, [17] "Stolen water is sweeter. Stolen bread tastes better." [18] Her victims do not know that the people die who go to her house, that those who have already entered are now deep in the world of the dead.
