NETtext - Proverbs - 9

9:1  Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.

9:2  She has prepared her meat, she has mixed her wine; she also has arranged her table.

9:3  She has sent out her female servants; she calls out on the highest places of the city.

9:4  "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," she says to those who lack understanding.

9:5  "Come, eat some of my food, and drink some of the wine I have mixed.

9:6  Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding."

9:7  Whoever corrects a mocker is asking for insult; whoever reproves a wicked person receives abuse.

9:8  Do not reprove a mocker or he will hate you; reprove a wise person and he will love you.

9:9  Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.

9:10  The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

9:11  For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

9:12  If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.

9:13  The woman called Folly is brash, she is naive and does not know anything.

9:14  So she sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

9:15  calling out to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on their way.

9:16  "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here," she says to those who lack understanding.

9:17  "Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!"

9:18  But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.