Proverbs 9

1Wisdom has built a house for herself and shaped seven pillars for it. 2She has slaughtered her animals for the feast, mixed her wine and set her table. 3She has sent her young women out with the invitation; she calls from the high places of the town: 4“Whoever is naive, come in here!” To anyone who lacks sense she says, 5“Come, have some of my food and taste the wine I have blended. 6Leave your naive ways behind and live; walk straight down the road of understanding. 7Correct a mocker and you will be insulted; rebuke the wicked and you will get hurt. 8Do not rebuke a mocker, or you will be hated; rebuke the wise, and you will be loved. 9Give advice to the wise and they will grow wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to what they know.

10Wisdom starts with the fear of the LORD, and to know the Holy One is understanding. 11For through me your days will be many, and the years of your life will grow. 12If you are wise, your wisdom will benefit you; if you mock, the cost is yours alone.” 13The woman Folly makes a lot of noise; she is gullible and has no knowledge. 14She takes her seat in her doorway, on a chair up on the town’s heights, 15calling to those who pass by, who are going straight along on their way: 16“Whoever is naive, come in here!” And to anyone who lacks sense she says, 17“Water that is stolen tastes sweet, and food eaten where no one sees is a delight.” 18But those who turn in have no idea that the dead are in that house, that her guests lie deep in Sheol.