1Wisdom has built her house,*

she has set up her seven columns;

2She has prepared her meat, mixed her wine,

yes, she has spread her table.

3She has sent out her maidservants; she calls*

from the heights out over the city:a

4“Let whoever is naive turn in here;

to any who lack sense I say,

5Come, eat of my food,

and drink of the wine I have mixed!

6Forsake foolishness that you may live;*

advance in the way of understanding.”

7Whoever corrects the arrogant earns insults;

and whoever reproves the wicked incurs opprobrium.

8Do not reprove the arrogant, lest they hate you;

reprove the wise, and they will love you.b

9Instruct the wise, and they become still wiser;

teach the just, and they advance in learning.

10The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.c

11For by me your days will be multiplied

and the years of your life increased.d

12If you are wise, wisdom is to your advantage;

if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.

13* Woman Folly is raucous,e

utterly foolish; she knows nothing.

14She sits at the door of her house

upon a seat on the city heights,

15Calling to passersby

as they go on their way straight ahead:

16“Let those who are naive turn in here,

to those who lack sense I say,

17Stolen water is sweet,

and bread taken secretly is pleasing!”*

18Little do they know that the shades are there,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol!*