Proverbs 9 — NETB

9Verse 1Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved out its seven pillars.
^{Verse 2}She has prepared her meat, she has mixed her wine;
she also has arranged her table.
^{Verse 3}She has sent out her female servants;
she calls out on the highest places of the city.
^{Verse 4}“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
she says to those who lack understanding.
^{Verse 5}“Come, eat some of my food,
and drink some of the wine I have mixed.
^{Verse 6}Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live,
and proceed in the way of understanding.”
^{Verse 7}Whoever corrects a mocker is asking for insult;
whoever reproves a wicked person receives abuse.
^{Verse 8}Do not reprove a mocker or he will hate you;
reprove a wise person and he will love you.
^{Verse 9}Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still;
teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.
^{Verse 10}The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord,
and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.
^{Verse 11}For because of me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
^{Verse 12}If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage,
but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.
^{Verse 13}The woman called Folly is brash,
she is naive and does not know anything.
^{Verse 14}So she sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
^{Verse 15}calling out to those who are passing by her in the way,
who go straight on their way.
^{Verse 16}“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,”
she says to those who lack understanding.
^{Verse 17}“Stolen waters are sweet,
and food obtained in secret is pleasant!”
^{Verse 18}But they do not realize that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of the grave.