¶ Wisdom hath builded herself an house, and hewn out seven pillars:
She hath killed her vitailles, poured out her wine, and prepared her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens to cry upon the highest place of the city:
Who so is ignorant, let him come hither. And to the unwise she said:
O come on your way, eat my bread, and drink my wine, which I have poured out for you.
Forsake ignorance, and ye shall live: and see that ye go in the way of understanding.
Who so reproveth a scornful person, getteth himself dishonour: and he that rebuketh the ungodly, staineth himself.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he owe thee evil will: but rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give a discrete man but an occasion, and he will be the wiser, teach a righteous man, and he will increase.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of holy things is understanding.
For thorow me thy days shall be prolonged, and the years of thy life shall be many.
If thou be wise, thy wisdom shall do thyself good: but if thou thinkest scorn thereof, it shall be thine own harm.
¶ A foolish restless woman, full of words, and such one as hath no knowledge,
sitteth in the doors of her house upon a stool above in the city,
to call such as go by, and walk straight in their ways.
Who so is ignorant (sayeth she) let him come hither, and to the unwise she sayeth:
stolen waters are sweet, and the bread that is privily eaten, hath a good taste.
But they consider not that death is there, and that her guests go down to hell.
Praise the Everlasting Lord for His Faithful Word.