Proverbs 9

New Life Version

Wisdom—or the Way to Hell

9 Wisdom has built her house. She has made seven pillars to hold it up. ² She has cooked her food, and has mixed her wine, and she has set her table. ³ She has sent out the young women who work for her. She calls from the highest places of the city, ⁴ “Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding, ⁵ “Come and eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Turn from your foolish way, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

⁷ He who speaks strong words to the man who laughs at the truth brings shame upon himself. He who speaks strong words to a sinful man gets hurt. ⁸ Do not speak strong words to a man who laughs at the truth, or he will hate you. Speak strong words to a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give teaching to a wise man and he will be even wiser. Teach a man who is right and good, and he will grow in learning. ¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To learn about the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days will grow in number, and years will be added to your life. ¹² If you are wise, your wisdom is a help to you. If you laugh at the truth, you alone will suffer for it.

¹³ A foolish woman makes much noise. She is open to sin, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house or on a seat in the high places of the city. ¹⁵ She calls to those who pass by and are making their paths straight, ¹⁶ “Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. And bread eaten in secret is pleasing.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, and that the ones who visit her are in the bottom of hell.