Proverbs 9

2She hath slain her victims. She hath mixed her wine for the cup and furnished her table.

3She hath sent out her servants, and with a loud proclamation hath given an invitation to her entertainment, saying:

4“Whosoever is simple, let him come to me.” And to them who seek understanding she saith,

5“Come, eat of my bread and drink the wine which I have mixed for you.

6Forsake folly, that you may reign forever; and seek prudence and build up understanding with knowledge.”

7He who instructeth the wicked shall receive for himself dishonour; and he who reproveth the ungodly will blemish himself.

8Rebuke not the wicked, lest they hate thee; rebuke a wise man and he will love thee.

9Give a wise man a hint and he will be wiser—an intimation to a righteous man and he will proceed to take it.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and knowledge is the counsel of the holy. For to know the law is a characteristic of a good understanding;

11for by this means thou shalt live long, and years of life will be added to thee. My son, if thou art wise for thyself, thou wilt be wise also for thy neighbours. But if thou become wicked, thou alone shalt draw up evils.

12He who leaneth upon lies feedeth on the wind, and he shall pursue flying birds: for he hath left the walks of his own vineyard, and wandered out of the paths of his own field, and traverseth a desert without water, and a land destined to thirst; and with his hands gathereth sterility.

13A woman who is foolish and bold needeth a curb; she hath no sense of shame.

14She sat at the doors of her house—on a seat open to view in the streets,

15calling to passengers who were going right on their ways,

16Let him who is the simplest of you turn aside to me; and them who lack prudence I exhort saying,

17Taste sweetly bread in secret, and water sweeter for being stolen.

18He indeed did not know that with her the earth-born perish—that he is lighting upon the perch of death. But fly thou away speedily; tarry not in that place, nor fix thine eyes upon her; for in this manner thou shouldst pass by strange water. Abstain from strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain; that thou mayst live long, and that years of life may be added to thee.