Wisdom’s Banquet
1Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her meat, mixed her wine, and also set her table. 3She has sent out her maidservants; she calls from the highest points of the town: 4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To the one who lacks sense she says, 5“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Leave the simple behind and live; walk in the way of understanding.” 7Whoever corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and whoever reproves a wicked man gets himself hurt. 8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9Give to the wise, and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and they will add to their learning. 10The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Yahweh, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For through me your days will be many, and years of life will be added to you. 12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Woman Folly
13The woman Folly is loud; she is simpleness itself and knows nothing at all. 14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest points of the town, 15calling to those who pass by on the way, who are going straight on their paths: 16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to the one who lacks sense she says, 17“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is delightful.” 18But he does not know that the shades are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
