Proverbs 9 (Today's New International Version)

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Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built¹ her house; she has set up^a its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;² she has also set her table.³ 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls⁴ from the highest point of the city,⁵ 4 "Let all who are simple⁶ come to my house!" To those who have no sense⁷ she says, 5 "Come,⁸ eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.⁹ 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;¹⁰ walk in the way of insight."¹¹ 7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.¹² 8 Do not rebuke mockers¹³ or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.¹⁴ 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.¹⁵ 10 The fear of the LORD¹⁶ is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One¹⁷ is understanding.¹⁸ 11 For through wisdom^b your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.¹⁹ 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. 13 Folly is an unruly woman;²⁰ she is simple and knows nothing.²¹ 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,²² 15 calling out²³ to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, 16 "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense²⁴ she says, 17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!²⁵" 18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.²⁶

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