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Being Wise or Foolish

Wisdom has built her house.
    She has made its seven columns.
She has prepared her food and wine.
    She has set her table.
She has sent out her servant girls.
    She calls out from the highest place in the city.
She says to those who are not wise,
    “Come in here, you foolish people!
Come and eat my food.
    And drink the wine I have prepared.
Stop your foolish ways, and you will live.
    Be a person of understanding.

“If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will get insulted.
    If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt.
Do not correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, or he will hate you.
    But correct a wise man, and he will love you.
Teach a wise man, and he will become even wiser.
    Teach a good man, and he will learn even more.

10 “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord.
    And understanding begins with knowing God, the Holy One.
11 If you live wisely, you will live a long time.
    Wisdom will add years to your life.
12 The wise person is rewarded by his wisdom.
    But a person who makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.”

13 Foolishness is like a loud woman.
    She does not have wisdom or knowledge.
14 She sits at the door of her house.
    It is at the highest place in the city.
15 She calls out to those who are passing by.
    They are minding their own business.
16 She says to those who are not wise,
    “Come in here, you foolish people!
17 Stolen water is sweeter.
    Stolen food tastes better.”
18 But these people don’t know that everyone dies who goes there.
    They don’t realize that her guests are deep in the grave.

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)
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(S)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(T)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(U)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(V)
15 calling out(W) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(X) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(Y)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
  2. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me