The Words of the Bible

Proverbs 9

The Feast of Wisdom

1 Wisdom has built her house, she has plowed her seven pillars;

2 He sacrificed his victims, and mixed his wine, and prepared his table.

3 He hath sent his maidservants to cry upon the high places of the city, saying,

4 Who is simple, turn here. To those who lack understanding he says:

5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mixed.

6 Leave foolishness and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

7 He that reproveth a scorner bringeth reproach upon himself; And he that reproveth the wicked receiveth his sore.

8 Do not rebuke a scorner, lest he hate you; Rebuke the wise, and he will love thee.

9 Teach the wise man, and he will become wiser; Teach the righteous, and he will increase in understanding.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days multiply, and years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you will be wise; And if thou be a scorner, thou wilt only bear it.

13 The foolish woman is an uproar; Is foolish, and knows no modesty.

14 He sits at the door of his house or in a chair, on the heights of the city,

15 calling to those who pass and follow rights their way:

16 Who is simple, turn here! And to those who lack understanding he says:

17 The stolen waters are sweet, and the bread eaten in the open is pleasant.

18 But he does not know that the dead are there; That his guests are in the depths of Sheol.