9:1   Wisdom has built her house with its seven columns.

9:2   She has prepared the meat and set out the wine. Her feast is ready.

9:3   She has sent her servant women to announce her invitation from the highest hills:

9:4   "Everyone who is ignorant or foolish is invited!

9:5   All of you are welcome to my meat and wine.

9:6   If you want to live, give up your foolishness and let understanding guide your steps."

9:7   Correct a worthless bragger, and all you will get are insults and injuries.

9:8   Any bragger you correct will only hate you. But if you correct someone who has common sense, you will be loved.

9:9   If you have good sense, instruction will help you to have even better sense. And if you live right, education will help you to know even more.

9:10   Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God.

9:11   I am Wisdom. If you follow me, you will live a long time.

9:12   Good sense is good for you, but if you brag, you hurt yourself.

9:13   Stupidity is reckless, senseless, and foolish.

9:14   She sits in front of her house and on the highest hills in the town.

9:15   She shouts to everyone who passes by,

9:16   "If you are stupid, come on inside!" And to every fool she says,

9:17   "Stolen water tastes best, and the food you eat in secret tastes best of all."

9:18   None who listen to Stupidity understand that her guests are as good as dead.