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.
Proverbs 9
International Standard Version
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom[a] has built her house;
she has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her food,[b]
she has spiced[c] her wine,
and she also has set her dining table.
3 She has sent out her young women,
while calling out from the heights of the city,
4 “Let whoever is naïve, turn in here.”
To anyone lacking sense, she says,
5 “Come! Eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Leave your naïve ways, and live.
Walk in the path of understanding.”
Wisdom Extends Life
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites only insult,[d]
and whoever rebukes the wicked will himself become stained.
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.
Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Counsel a wise man,
and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man,
and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
and knowing holiness[e] demonstrates understanding.
11 For because of me you will live a long life,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise,
your wisdom will assist you.
If you mock,
you alone will be held responsible.
Folly’s Entrapment
13 The foolish woman is loud,
undisciplined, and without knowledge.
14 She sits at the entrance of her house,
on a seat high above the city.
15 She calls out to those passing by on the road,
who are minding their own business,[f]
16 “Whoever is naïve, turn in here!”
And to anyone lacking sense, she says,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet,
and food eaten in secret is delicious.”
18 But he does not realize that the dead lurk there,
and her invited guests wind up in the depths of Sheol.[g]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:1 I.e. wisdom personified as a woman
- Proverbs 9:2 Or meat
- Proverbs 9:2 Or mixed
- Proverbs 9:7 Lit. insult to himself
- Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones
- Proverbs 9:15 Or are going straight on their way
- Proverbs 9:18 I.e. the realm of the dead
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