1 W isdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 S he has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

3 S he has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “ Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

5 “ Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 F orsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

7 “ He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 D o not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

9 G ive instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 F or by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

12 I f you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” The Way of Folly

13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.

14 F or she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,

15 T o call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:

16 “ Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

17 “ Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 B ut he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.