¹ Wisdom has built her house;
       she has hewn out its seven pillars.

    ² She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
       she has also set her table.

    ³ She has sent out her maids, and she calls
       from the highest point of the city.

    ⁴ "Let all who are simple come in here!"
       she says to those who lack judgment.

    ⁵ "Come, eat my food
       and drink the wine I have mixed.

    ⁶ Leave your simple ways and you will live;
       walk in the way of understanding.

    ⁷ "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
       whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

    ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
       rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

    ⁹ Instruct 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 the beginning of wisdom,
       and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

    ¹¹ For through me your days will be many,
       and years will be added to your life.

    ¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
       if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

    ¹³ The woman Folly is loud;
       she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

    ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house,
       on a seat at the highest point of the city,

    ¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by,
       who go straight on their way.

    ¹⁶ "Let all who are simple come in here!"
       she says to those who lack judgment.

    ¹⁷ "Stolen water is sweet;
       food eaten in secret is delicious!"

    ¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
       that her guests are in the depths of the grave.¹

Footnotes:

1  verse 18  Hebrew Sheol