“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

calling to those who pass by,
who go straight ahead on their paths:

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,

“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”

The woman Folly is rowdy;
she is gullible and knows nothing.

She sits by the doorway of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.

Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.

Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved out her seven pillars.

Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.

She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,

She has sent out her female servants;
she calls out from the highest points of the city:

“Come, eat my bread,
and drink the wine I have mixed.