Proverbs 9

1Wisdom built her house, And she supported it with seven pillars.

2She offered her sacrifices; She mixed her wine in a bowl And prepared her table.

3She sent her servants, Inviting people to the bowl with a lofty proclamation, saying,

4"He who is without discernment, Let him turn aside to me"; And to those in need of discernment, she says,

5"Come, eat my bread And drink the wine I mixed for you;

6Forsake lack of discernment, and you shall live; Seek discernment so you may live, And keep straight your understanding with knowledge."

7He who chastises evil men shall receive dishonor to himself, And he who reproves the ungodly man shall be blamed himself.

8Do not reprove evil men, so they may not hate you; Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser; Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the counsel of saints is understanding; For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.

11For in this manner you will live a long time, And the years of your life shall be increased.

12My son, if you become wise in yourself, you shall also be wise toward your neighbor; But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

13He who supports himself with lies will shepherd winds And chase flying birds;

14For he abandoned the ways of his own vineyard And strayed from paths of his own farming;

15And he will pass through a waterless desert, A land assigned to drought, And he gathers barrenness with his hands.

16A woman in need of a morsel is without discernment and overbold; She has no sense of shame.

17She sits upon the doors of her own house, Upon a seat openly in the streets,

18Calling to those who pass by And who go straight along their paths,

19"He who is very lacking in discernment, let him turn aside to me; And he who is in need of discernment, I exhort, saying,

20'Grasp with pleasure the secret bread And the sweet water of theft.' "

21But he does not know that the inhabitants of the earth perish beside her, And he happens upon a snare of Hades.

22But hurry off, do not continue in that place, Neither set your eye toward her;

23For so you shall pass through strange water And cross beyond a strange river;

24And keep away from strange water, And do not drink from a strange fountain;

25That you may live a long time And add years of life to yourself.