[1] Wisdom built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. [2] She slaughtered her animals, mixed her wine, and set her table. [3] She sends out her female servants; she issues an invitation from the top of the city heights: [4] “Whoever is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who lack sense. [5] “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. [6] Abandon your simplistic ways and live; walk in the way of understanding.” [7] Whoever instructs the cynic gets insulted; whoever corrects the wicked gets hurt. [8] Don’t correct the impudent, or they will hate you; correct the wise, and they will love you. [9] Teach the wise, and they will become wiser; inform the righteous, and their learning will increase. [10] The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of the holy one is understanding. [11] Through me your days will be many; years will be added to your life. [12] If you are wise, it is to your benefit; if you are cynical, you will bear it all alone. [13] Woman Folly is noisy; she’s stupid and doesn’t even know it. [14] She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat at the city heights. [15] She invites those who pass by on the path, those going straight on their way. [16] “Whoever is naive, come in here,” she says to those who lack sense. [17] “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is pleasant.” [18] But they don’t know that the dead are there; her guests are in the depths of the grave.
