Proverbs of Solomon 9 — The Holy Bible

Wisdom's Invitation

Wisdom built her house,

And she supported it with seven pillars.

She offered her sacrifices;

She mixed her wine in a bowl

And prepared her table.

She sent her servants,

Inviting people to the bowl with a lofty proclamation, saying,

“He who is without discernment,

Let him turn aside to me”;

And to those in need of discernment, she says,

“Come, eat my bread

And drink the wine I mixed for you;

Forsake lack of discernment, and you shall live;

Seek discernment so you may live,

And keep straight your understanding with knowledge.”

Wisdom: Let Us Attend!

He who chastises evil men shall receive dishonor to himself,

And he who reproves the ungodly man shall be blamed himself.

Do not reprove evil men, so they may not hate you;

Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser;

Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the counsel of saints is understanding;

For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.

For in this manner you will live a long time,

And the years of your life shall be increased.

My son, if you become wise in yourself,

you shall also be wise toward your neighbor;

But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

He who supports himself with lies will shepherd winds

And chase flying birds;

For he abandoned the ways of his own vineyard

And strayed from paths of his own farming;

And he will pass through a waterless desert,

A land assigned to drought,

And he gathers barrenness with his hands.

A woman in need of a morsel is without discernment and overbold;

She has no sense of shame.

She sits upon the doors of her own house,

Upon a seat openly in the streets,

Calling to those who pass by

And who go straight along their paths,

“He who is very lacking in discernment, let him turn aside to me;

And he who is in need of discernment, I exhort, saying,

‘Grasp with pleasure the secret bread

And the sweet water of theft.’”

But he does not know that the inhabitants of the earth perish beside her,

And he happens upon a snare of Hades.

But hurry off, do not continue in that place,

Neither set your eye toward her;

For so you shall pass through strange water

And cross beyond a strange river;

And keep away from strange water,

And do not drink from a strange fountain;

That you may live a long time

And add years of life to yourself.