1Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.

2She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed ¹⁶her wine; and she has set her table.

3She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. ¹⁷She calls out from the highest places of the town,

4“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,

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

6Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”

7If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.

8So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.

9Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.

10Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.

11Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.

12If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.

13Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.

14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,

15calling out to those passing by, going about their business,

16“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”

18But they don't know that the dead are there, that those she's invited are in the depths of the grave.