Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built a house for herself,
and set up seven pillars.
2 She hath killed her beasts;
she hath mingled her wine in a bowl,
and prepared her table.
3 She hath sent forth her servants,
calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me:
and to them that want understanding she saith,
5 Come, eat of my bread,
and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever;
and seek wisdom [1]that ye may live,
and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 He that reproveth evil men shall get dishonour to himself;
and he that rebuketh an ungodly man shall disgrace himself.
8 Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser:
instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction.
10 The fear of the Lord is the [2]beginning of wisdom,
and the counsel of saints is understanding:
for to know the law is the character of a sound mind.
11 For in this way thou shalt live long,
and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
12 Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours;
and if thou shouldst prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil.
12a [3]He that stayeth himself upon falsehoods, attempteth to rule the winds,
and the same will pursue birds in their flight:
12b for he hath forsaken the ways of his own vineyard,
and he hath caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray;
12c and he goeth through a dry desert,
and a land appointed to drought,
and he gathereth barrenness with his hands.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knoweth not modesty,
cometh to want a morsel.
14 She sitteth at the doors of her house,
on a seat openly in the streets,
15 calling to passers by,
and to those that are going right on their ways; 16 saying,
Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me;
and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
17 Take and enjoy secret bread,
and the sweet water of theft.
18 But he knoweth that mighty men die by her,
and he falleth in with a snare of hell.
18a But hasten away, delay not in the place,
neither fix thine eye upon her:
18b for thus shalt thou go through strange water;
18c but do thou abstain from strange water,
and drink not of a strange fountain,
18d that thou mayest live long,
and years of life may be added to thee.