The Way of Wisdom
Wisdom has abuilt her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 aShe has slaughtered her meat,
bShe has mixed her wine,
She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 “Whoevera is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come,a eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 aDo not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
bRebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, aand he will increase in learning.
10 “Thea fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 aFor by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 aIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
The Way of Folly
13 aA foolish woman is clamorous;
She is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat aby the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
16 “Whoevera is simple, let him turn in here”;
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolena water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that athe dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of hell.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.