1 Wisdom has ^abuilt her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars; ‡

2 ^aShe has slaughtered her meat,
^bShe has mixed her wine,
She has also¹ furnished her table. ‡

3 She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “Whoever^a is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ‡

5 “Come,^a eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed. ‡

6 Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.

7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 ^aDo not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
^bRebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ‡

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, ^aand he will increase in learning. ‡

10 “The^a fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ‡

11 ^aFor by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you. ‡

12 ^aIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” ‡