1Wisdom hath builded her house ; She hath hewn out her seven pillars : 2She hath killed her beasts ; she hath mingled her wine ; She hath also furnished her table : 3She hath sent forth her maidens ; She crieth upon the highest places of the city : 4Whoso is simple , let him turn in hither : As for him that is void of understanding , she saith to him, 5Come , eat ye of my bread , And drink of the wine which I have mingled . 6Leave off , ye simple ones , and live ; And walk in the way of understanding.
The Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom
7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot . 8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee : Reprove a wise man , and he will love thee . 9Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser : Teach a righteous man , and he will increase in learning . 10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom ; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied , And the years of thy life shall be increased . 12If thou art wise , thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it .
The Fear of the Lord
13The foolish woman is clamorous ; She is simple , and knoweth nothing . 14And she sitteth at the door of her house , On a seat in the high places of the city , 15To call to them that pass by , Who go right on their ways : 16Whoso is simple , let him turn in hither ; And as for him that is void of understanding , she saith to him, 17Stolen waters are sweet , And bread eaten in secret is pleasant . 18But he knoweth not that the dead are there ; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol .