The Way of Wisdom
aWisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her bseven cpillars.
2 She has aslaughtered her beasts; she has bmixed her wine;
she has also cset her table.
3 She has asent out her young women to bcall
from cthe highest places in the town,
4 a“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
bTo him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, aeat of my bread
and bdrink of cthe wine I have mixed.
6 Leave ayour simple ways, and blive,
cand walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 aDo not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
breprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be astill wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will bincrease in learning.
10 aThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and bthe knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me ayour days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 aIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Folly
13 aThe woman Folly is bloud;
she is seductive and cknows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on athe highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are agoing straight on their way,
16 a“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 a“Stolen water is sweet,
and bbread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know athat the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.