1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out its seven columns,
2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also prepared her table.
3 She has sent out her young women, She cries out from the highest places of the city:
4 “Who is simple? Let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks heart, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.”
6 Leave the simple ones and live, And walk in the way of understanding.
7 He who reproves a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wrong one gets himself a blemish.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; Reprove a wise one, and he loves you.
9 Give instruction to a wise one, and he is wiser still; Teach a righteous one, and he increases in learning.
10 The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.
11 For by me your days become many, And years of life are added to you.
12 If you have become wise, You have become wise for yourself, And if you have scoffed, You alone bear it.
13 A foolish woman is loud, Simple, and without knowledge.
14 For she has seated herself 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 “Who is simple? Let him turn in here.” And as for him who lacks heart, she says to him,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, Her guests are in the depths of the grave.