Wisdom builds her house and invites the simple to her feast. Folly, a loud and ignorant woman, invites passers-by to her house, but her guests are in the depths of the grave. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
1 Wisdom hath builded her house , she hath hewn out her seven pillars :
2 She hath killed her beasts ; she hath mingled her wine ; she hath also furnished her table .
3 She hath sent forth her maidens : she crieth upon the highest places of the city ,
4 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 which I have mingled .
6 Forsake the foolish , and live ; and go in the way of understanding .
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame : and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot .
8 Reprove not a scorner , lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man , and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet 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 is understanding .
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied , and the years of thy life shall be increased .
12 If thou be wise , thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest , thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous : she is simple , and knoweth nothing .
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house , on a seat in the high places of the city ,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways :
16 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 bread eaten in secret is pleasant .
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell .