¹Wisdom has built her house .

She has carved out her seven pillars .

²She has prepared her meat.

She has mixed her wine .

She has also set her table .

³She has sent out her maidens .

She cries from the highest places of the city :

⁴“Whoever is simple , let him turn in here !”

As for him who is void of understanding , she says to him,

⁵“Come , eat some of my bread ,

Drink some of the wine which I have mixed !

⁶Leave your simple ways , and live .

Walk in the way of understanding.”

⁷One who corrects a mocker invites insult.

One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

⁸Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you .

Reprove a wise person , and he will love you .

⁹Instruct a wise person , and he will be still wiser .

Teach a righteous person , and he will increase in learning .

¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom .

The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

¹¹For by me your days will be multiplied .

The years of your life will be increased .

¹²If you are wise , you are wise for yourself .

If you mock , you alone will bear it .

¹³The foolish woman is loud ,

undisciplined, and knows nothing .

¹⁴She sits at the door of her house ,

on a seat in the high places of the city ,

¹⁵to call to those who pass by ,

who go straight on their ways ,

¹⁶“Whoever is simple , let him turn in here .”

As for him who is void of understanding , she says to him,

¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet .

Food eaten in secret is pleasant .”

¹⁸But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there ,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol .