9:1 Wisdom has built a house for herself,
and set up seven pillars.
9:2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and
prepared her table.
9:3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the
feast, saying,
9:4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want
understanding she says,
9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
9:6 Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve
understanding by knowledge.
9:7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that
rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
9:8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise [man],
and he will love thee.
9:9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a
just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of
saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound
mind.
9:11 For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be
added to thee.
9:12 Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy
neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the
evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and
the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of
his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go
astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought,
and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
9:13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a
morsel.
9:14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
9:15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
9:16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and
I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
9:17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
9:18 But he knows that mighty men die by her, and he falls in with a snare
of hell. But hasten away, delay not in the place, neither fix thine eye upon
her: for thus shalt thou go through strange water; but do thou abstain from
strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain, that thou mayest live
long, and years of life may be added to thee. |
9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath
hewn out her seven pillars:
9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also
furnished her table.
9:3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of
the city,
9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him,
9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that
rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will
love thee.
9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
man, and he will increase in learning.
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of
the holy is understanding.
9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall
be increased.
9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest,
thou alone shalt bear it.
9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
9:14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places
of the city,
9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
9:16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him,
9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in
the depths of hell. |