The Way of Wisdom
1Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2She has slaughtered her meat,
She has mixed her wine,
She has also 9:2 arrangedfurnished her table.
3She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5“Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
7“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
The Way of Folly
13A foolish woman is 9:13 boisterousclamorous;
She is simple, and knows nothing.
14For she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat by the highest places of the city,
15To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17“Stolen water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of 9:18 Or Sheolhell.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
