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Wisdom’s Feast

Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up[a] her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
    she has also set her table.
She has sent out her maids to call
    from the highest places in the town,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who is without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Leave simpleness,[b] and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

General Maxims

He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction[c] to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Gk Syr Tg: Heb hewn
  2. Proverbs 9:6 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb simple ones
  3. Proverbs 9:9 Heb lacks instruction

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom has built(A) her house;
    she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(B)
    she has also set her table.(C)
She has sent out her servants, and she calls(D)
    from the highest point of the city,(E)
    “Let all who are simple(F) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(G) she says,
    “Come,(H) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.(I)
Leave your simple ways and you will live;(J)
    walk in the way of insight.”(K)

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(L)
Do not rebuke mockers(M) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(N)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(O)

10 The fear of the Lord(P) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(Q) is understanding.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out