NIV

Proverbs 9

1<pb/><t>Wisdom has built her house;</t> <t>she has set up<f>[20]</f> its seven pillars.</t>
2<t>She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;</t> <t>she has also set her table.</t>
3<t>She has sent out her servants, and she calls</t> <t>from the highest point of the city,</t>
4<t>“Let all who are simple come to my house!”</t> <t>To those who have no sense she says,</t>
5<t>“Come, eat my food</t> <t>and drink the wine I have mixed.</t>
6<t>Leave your simple ways and you will live;</t> <t>walk in the way of insight.” <pb/></t>
7<t>Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;</t> <t>whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.</t>
8<t>Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;</t> <t>rebuke the wise and they will love you.</t>
9<t>Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;</t> <t>teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. <pb/></t>
10<t>The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,</t> <t>and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.</t>
11<t>For through wisdom<f>[21]</f> your days will be many,</t> <t>and years will be added to your life.</t>
12<t>If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;</t> <t>if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. <pb/></t>
13<t>Folly is an unruly woman;</t> <t>she is simple and knows nothing.</t>
14<t>She sits at the door of her house,</t> <t>on a seat at the highest point of the city,</t>
15<t>calling out to those who pass by,</t> <t>who go straight on their way,</t>
16<t>“Let all who are simple come to my house!”</t> <t>To those who have no sense she says,</t>
17<t>“Stolen water is sweet;</t> <t>food eaten in secret is delicious!”</t>
18<t>But little do they know that the dead are there,</t> <t>that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.</t>