1 ¶ Wisdom has built her house, she has carved out her seven pillars:

2 She has butchered her meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has spread her table.

3 She has sent out her maids: and she calls from the highest places in the city,

4 Let whoever lacks wisdom enter here: and to him who is in need of understanding, she says,

5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mixed.

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and follow the way of understanding.

7 He who reproves an arrogant man gets insulted: and he who rebukes a wicked man gets bruises.

8 Do not reprove an arrogant man, or he will 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 righteous 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 the years of your life will be increased.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will benefit you: but if you scoff, you alone will be held responsible.

13 ¶ A foolish woman is loud: she is shameless, and ignorant.

14 For she sits at the door of her house, or on a seat in the upper parts of the city,

15 Calling to those who pass by, who are minding their own business:

16 Whoever lacks wisdom, let him turn in here: and to him who is in need of understanding, she says,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he does not know that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.