[1] Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
[2] She has slaughtered her meat, She 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] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
[5] “Come, 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] Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke 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, 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 of life will be added to you.
[12] If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
[13] A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.
[14] For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,
[15] To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:
[16] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
[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 hell.