1 W isdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

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

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

4 W hoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

5 C ome, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

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

7 H e that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

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

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

10 T he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

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

12 I f thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

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

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

15 t o call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 W hoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17 S tolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 B ut he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.