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

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

2 S he hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged 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 damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high 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 ` Who simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

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

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

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

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

Turn from your foolish way, and live. Walk 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 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 scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth 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 to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth 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 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. To learn about the Holy One is understanding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 A nd she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- 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 those passing by the way, Who are going straight their paths.

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

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

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

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

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

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 the ones who visit her are in the bottom of hell.