1 W isdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:

Wisdom has built her house. She has made seven pillars to hold it up.

2 S he hath killed her beasts; She hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table:

She has cooked her food, and has mixed her wine, and she has set her table.

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

She has sent out the young women who work for her. She calls from the highest places of the city,

4 W hoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

“Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding,

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

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

6 L eave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

Turn from your foolish way, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

7 H e that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

He who speaks strong words to the man who laughs at the truth brings shame upon himself. He who speaks strong words to a sinful man gets hurt.

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

Do not speak strong words to a man who laughs at the truth, or he will hate you. Speak strong words to a wise man, and he will love you.

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

Give teaching to a wise man and he will be even wiser. Teach a man who is right and good, and he will grow in learning.

10 T he fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To learn about the Holy One is understanding.

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

For by me your days will grow in number, and years will be added to your life.

12 I f thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.

If you are wise, your wisdom is a help to you. If you laugh at the truth, you alone will suffer for it.

13 T he foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knoweth nothing.

A foolish woman makes much noise. She is open to sin, and knows nothing.

14 A nd she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

She sits at the door of her house or on a seat in the high places of the city.

15 T o call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

She calls to those who pass by and are making their paths straight,

16 W hoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

“Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding,

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

“Stolen water is sweet. And bread eaten in secret is pleasing.”

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

But he does not know that the dead are there, and that the ones who visit her are in the bottom of hell.