Proverbs 9
King James Version
9 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.
Proverbs 9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wisdom’s Feast
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.(A)
2 She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.(B)
3 She has sent out her female servants; she calls
from the highest places in the town,(C)
4 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,(D)
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.(E)
6 Lay aside immaturity and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”(F)
General Maxims
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.(G)
8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(H)
9 Give instruction[a] to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning.(I)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.(J)
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.(K)
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.(L)
Folly’s Invitation and Promise
13 The foolish woman is loud;
she is ignorant and knows nothing.(M)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
And to those without sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”(N)
18 But they do not know that the dead[b] are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.(O)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.