9
Wisdom Hosts a Banquet
1 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest places in the city,
4 “Whoever is gullible turn in here!”
She says to a person without sense,
5 “Come, eat my bread,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Stop being gullible and live.
Start traveling the road to understanding.”
Wisdom Prolongs Life
7 Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse.
Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.
8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.
Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Give ⌞advice⌟ to a wise person,
and he will become even wiser.
Teach a righteous person,
and he will learn more.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 You will live longer because of me,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will help you.
If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.
Stupidity Imitates Wisdom’s Banquet
13 The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant.
14 She sits at the doorway of her house.
She is enthroned on the high ground of the city
15 and calls to those who pass by,
those minding their own business,
16 “Whoever is gullible turn in here!”
She says to a person without sense,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet,
and food eaten in secret is tasty.”
18 But he does not know
that the souls of the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of hell.