The Way of Wisdom

(Ezra 4:6-16; Esther 1:1-9; Proverbs 1:1-7)

1Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;

2she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;

3she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,

4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,

5Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.

6Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.

7He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.

8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.

9Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he will increase learning.

10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.

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

12If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

The Way of Folly

13The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.

14And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15to call passers-by who go right on their ways:

16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,

17Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.

18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; [that] her guests are in the depths of Sheol.