Proverbs 9

²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. {her beasts: Heb. her killing}

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 wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine {which} I have mingled.

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

⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked {man getteth} himself a blot.

⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

⁹Give {instruction} to a wise {man}, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just {man}, and he will increase in learning.

¹⁰The fear of the LORD {is} the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy {is} understanding.

¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

¹²If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but {if} thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear {it}.

¹³A foolish woman {is} clamorous: {she is} simple, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵To call passengers who go right on their ways:

¹⁶Whoso {is} simple, let him turn in hither: and {as for} him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷Stolen waters are sweet, and bread {eaten} in secret is pleasant. {eaten...: Heb. of secrecies}

¹⁸But he knoweth not that the dead {are} there; {and that} her guests {are} in the depths of hell.