9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up* its seven pillars. / *Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
9:2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
9:3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
9:4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
9:5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
9:6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9:9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
9:11 For through wisdom* your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. / *Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
9:12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
9:13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
9:14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
9:15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
9:16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
9:17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
9:18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.