Proverbs 9

¹Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns

²She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table

³She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city

⁴“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said

⁵“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you

⁶Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.

⁷Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself

⁸Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you

⁹Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it

¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence

¹¹For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you

¹²If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil

¹³A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all

¹⁴sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city

¹⁵so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey

¹⁶“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said

¹⁷“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.

¹⁸And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell