Proverbs 9

1Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.

2She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.

3She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:

4Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:

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

6Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.

7He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.

8Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.

11For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.

12If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.

13A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,

14Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,

15To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:

16He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:

17Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.

18And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

1[Sapientia ædificavit sibi domum: excidit columnas septem.

2Immolavit victimas suas, miscuit vinum, et proposuit mensam suam.

3Misit ancillas suas ut vocarent ad arcem et ad mœnia civitatis.

4Si quis est parvulus, veniat ad me. Et insipientibus locuta est:

5Venite, comedite panem meum, et bibite vinum quod miscui vobis.

6Relinquite infantiam, et vivite, et ambulate per vias prudentiæ.]

7[Qui erudit derisorem, ipse injuriam sibi facit, et qui arguit impium, sibi maculam generat.

8Noli arguere derisorem, ne oderit te: argue sapientem, et diliget te.

9Da sapienti occasionem, et addetur ei sapientia; doce justum, et festinabit accipere.

10Principium sapientiæ timor Domini, et scientia sanctorum prudentia.

11Per me enim multiplicabuntur dies tui, et addentur tibi anni vitæ.

12Si sapiens fueris, tibimetipsi eris; si autem illusor, solus portabis malum.]

13[Mulier stulta et clamosa, plenaque illecebris, et nihil omnino sciens,

14sedit in foribus domus suæ, super sellam in excelso urbis loco,

15ut vocaret transeuntes per viam, et pergentes itinere suo:

16Qui est parvulus declinet ad me. Et vecordi locuta est:

17Aquæ furtivæ dulciores sunt, et panis absconditus suavior.

18Et ignoravit quod ibi sint gigantes, et in profundis inferni convivæ ejus.]

1Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.

2She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.

3She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,

4“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:

5“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.

6Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”

7Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.

8Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.

9Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.

11For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.

12If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.

13A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,

14sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,

15so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:

16“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,

17“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”

18And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell.