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

¶ Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars:

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

She has killed her sacrifice; she has mingled her wine; and she has furnished her table.

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

She has sent forth her maidens; she cries upon the highest places of the city,

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

whosoever is simple, let him turn in here; as for those that lack understanding, she saith unto 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 that which is 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 chastens a scorner brings shame unto himself, and he that chastens a wicked man brings himself a blot.

8 R eprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.

Chasten not a scorner lest he hate thee; chasten 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 knows nothing.

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

For she sits 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 to those who pass by the way, to those who straighten their ways;

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

Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here; and as for him that lacks understanding, she saith unto 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 does not know that the dead are there and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.