Old Testament

Proverbs 9
Lady Wisdom's Banquet
91Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
2She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has already set her table.
3She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest point in the city,
4“Whoever is naïve,[] let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
5“Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6Abandon your naïve ways and live.
Travel the road to understanding.”
Lady Wisdom's Proverbs
7Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults,
and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse.
8Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.
Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
9Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser.
Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning[] of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,
11because through me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage.
But if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
Lady Folly's Banquet
13The woman Folly is boisterous.
She is deluded. She knows nothing.
14She sits at the doorway of her house,
on a throne on the heights of the city,
15in order to call to those who pass by on the street,
those who are simply going along on their way,
16“Whoever is gullible, let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
17“Stolen waters are sweet,
and food eaten in secret is delicious.”
18But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of hell.[]
The Collected Proverbs of Solomon
(Chapters 10–22)

Footnotes

  • 9:4 Or inexperienced or gullible
  • 9:10 Or prerequisite or most important part
  • 9:18 Or the grave