Rhyming Proverbs: Chapter 9

Rhyming Proverbs: Chapter 9

Her house, has wisdom built it; put in place,
she has, its seven pillars. She prepared
her meat and also mixed her wine; it’s laid,
her table. Servants, she has sent from there,
and she calls from the city’s highest point,
“Let all who’re simple, to my house, come in!”
To those who have no sense, this, she enjoins
“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I’ve mixed.
Leave all your simple ways, you’ll come alive;
now, in the way of insight, you should walk.”

Whoe’er corrects a mocker will invite
such insults; whoe’er, wicked men, rebukes
incurs abuse. Rebuke those mockers, don’t,
or they will hate you; just rebuke the wise
and they will love you. Wiser still they’ll grow,
because of your instruction; you’ll inspire
the righteous, to their learning, they will add.

Of wisdom, its beginning, is the fear,
that of the LORD, of him, such knowledge had,
the Holy One, is understanding, sure.
For through it, wisdom, many are your days,
and to your life will years be added on.
From wisdom, if you’re wise, rewards will gain;
if you’re a mocker, suff’ring, you alone.

Unruly woman, folly, designates;
she is both simple and is ignorant.
That of her house, its door, where she will sit,
upon a seat, the city’s highest point,
to those who pass by, calling out is she,
“Let simple ones come to my house for treats!”
To those who have no sense she says, “It’s sweet,
is stolen water; that, the food we eat
in secret is delicious!” Do they know,
but little, that, the place the dead will go,
her guests, deep in the deads’ realm that’s below.