Dual Panel1Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.
2Now, having slaughtered a beast, spiced her wine, and spread her table,
3she has sent her maidens to proclaim from the highest point of the town:
4“Let the simple turn in here.” She says to him who lacks sense,
5“Come, eat the food I have prepared and taste the wine that I have spiced.
6Abandon the company of simpletons and you will live, you will advance in understanding.”
7Correct an insolent person, and you earn abuse; reprove a bad one, and you will acquire his faults.
8Do not reprove the insolent person or he will hate you; reprove a wise one, and he will be your friend.
9Lecture a wise person, and he will grow wiser still; teach a righteous one, and he will add to his learning.
10The first step to wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding;
11for through me your days will be increased and years be added to your life.
12If you are wise, it will be to your advantage; if you are arrogant, you alone must bear the blame.
13The Lady Stupidity is a flighty creature; a fool, she cares for nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the highest part of the town,
15to invite the passers-by indoors as they hurry on their way:
16“Turn in here, simpleton,” she says, and to him who lacks sense she says,
17“Stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret tastes good.”
18Little does he know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.