1 W isdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 S he has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table;

3 S he has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city:

4 “ Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says,

5 “ Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 “ Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”

7 H e who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8 D o not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

9 G ive instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

10 T he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 F or by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

12 I f you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

13 T he woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing.

14 S he sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,

15 C alling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight:

16 “ Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding she says,

17 “ Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 B ut he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.