Wisdom has constructed her house and has set up seven pillars. She has prepared her food and mixed her wine and set the table. She has dispatched her maid servants to cry out from the highest points in the city. “Whoever is naive, come in here,” she says to those who have no sense. “Come and eat my food and the wine I’ve mixed. Leave behind your simple ways. Live and walk down the path of understanding.”
Whoever rebukes a mocker invites insult; he who reproves the wicked receives abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker, for he will hate you for it; reprove a wise man and he will love you for it. Instruct the wise and he will be wiser. Teach a just man and his learning will be increased.
A reverence for Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. A knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom benefits you; if you are a mocker you will suffer from your own mocking.
Folly is a boisterous woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits in her doorway at the highest point of the city and accosts men who pass by, but are going straight on their way. She invites those who have no sense, “Those who are simple, come in to my house. Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is tasty.” But they do not realize that the dead are there and her guests are in the depths of the underworld.
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