1 W isdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

2 S he hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.

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

3 S he hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:

She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

4 ` Who simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

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

5 ` Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.

Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6 F orsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 T he instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it -- shame, And a reprover of the wicked -- his blemish.

He 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, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.

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

9 G ive to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.

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

10 T he commencement of wisdom the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones understanding.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 F or by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 I f thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned -- thyself bearest.

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 A foolish woman noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.

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

14 A nd she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- the high places of the city,

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

15 T o call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight their paths.

to call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 ` Who simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,

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

17 ` Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 A nd he hath not known that Rephaim there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

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