Proverbs, 9

1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

1. Wisdom has built her house set upon seven pillars;

2. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

2. she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her wine and laid her table.

3. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

3. Next, she sent her servants to call from the central square of the city,

4. Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

4. "Pass by here, you who are fools." To the senseless she says,

5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.

5. "Come, eat and drink of the bread and wine I have prepared.

6. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

6. Give up your foolishness and you will live; take the straight path of discernment."

7. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.

7. He who corrects a mocker gains insults; and he who reprimands an evildoer receives abuse.

8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

8. Do not rebuke the mocker lest he hate you, but counsel the wise who will be grateful.

9. Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

9. Give to the wise man and he will become wiser each day; teach an upright man and he will increase his wisdom.

10. The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.

10. Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom and to know the Holy One brings discernment.

11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

11. Then I will multiply your days and increase your years of life.

12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].

12. If you are wise your wisdom will work to your advantage, but if you mock you alone will be harmed.

13. A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.

13. Lady Foolishness is impetuous, a simpleton who knows nothing.

14. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

14. She sits at the door of her house, on a throne in the central square of the city,

15. To call passengers who go right on their ways:

15. to invite all passersby, "Come here, whoever is ignorant."

16. Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

16. To the foolish she says,

17. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.

17. "Stolen waters are sweet and pilfered bread is the tastiest."

18. But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.

18. But he does not see the Shadow world lying there; nor realize that its guests are heading towards the abyss of death.