The Way of Wisdom
1 Wisdom hasbuilt 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 “Whoeverissimple, let him turn in here!”
Asforhim 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 wickedmanonlyharms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
# Rebuke a wiseman,and he will love you.
9 Giveinstructionto a wiseman,and he will be still wiser;
# Teach a justman,and he will increase in learning.
10 “Thefear of theLordisthe beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy Oneisunderstanding.
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,
Andifyou scoff, you will bearitalone.”
The Way of Folly
13 A foolish woman is clamorous;
Sheissimple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
# On a seatbythe highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
16 “Whoeverissimple, let him turn in here”;
Andasforhim who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolenwater is sweet,
And breadeatenin secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know thatthe deadarethere,
Thather guestsarein the depths of hell.