Proverbs 9 - Modern English Version

The Way of Wisdom

¹ Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.

² She has slaughtered her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

³ She has sent out her maidens, and she calls out from the highest places in the city,

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

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

⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”

⁷ He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man gets hurt.

⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

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 will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The Way of Folly

¹³ The foolish woman is clamorous; she is ignorant and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the high places of the city,

¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way:

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, 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 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.