Proverbs 9

1Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.

2She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3She has sent out her servant girls; she calls out from the highest points of the city:

4Whoever is simple, let them come in here! To those who lack sense, she says:

5Come, eat my food, and drink the wine that I have mixed.

6Leave your simple ways and live; walk in the way of understanding.

7Whoever corrects a mocker will be insulted; whoever rebukes a wicked person will be hurt.

8Do not rebuke a mocker, or the mocker will hate you. Rebuke a wise person, and the wise person will love you.

9Give instruction to a wise person, and the wise person will become even wiser. Teach a righteous person, and the righteous person will learn even more.

10Respecting the LORD is where wisdom begins, and knowing the Holy One is understanding.

11Because through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you mock, you alone will suffer for it.

13The woman named Foolishness is loud; she is simple and knows nothing.

14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15Calling out to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way:

16Whoever is simple, let them come in here! To those who lack sense, she says:

17Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good.

18But the simple person does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.