[1] Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars; [2] She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; [3] She has sent out her attendants, she calls out From the tops of the heights of the city: [4] “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, [5] “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. [6] “Abandon your foolishness and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.” [7] One who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And one who rebukes a wicked person gets insults for himself. [8] Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you. [9] Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser; Teach a righteous person and he will increase his insight. [10] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. [11] For by me your days will be multiplied, 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 suffer from it. [13] A woman of foolishness is boisterous, She has a lack of understanding and knows nothing. [14] She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, [15] Calling to those who pass by, Who are going straight on their paths: [16] “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding 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 her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
