Wisdom invites all to her feast. Folly calls another way.
[1] Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
[2] She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
[3] She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
[4] Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
[5] Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
[6] Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
[7] He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
[8] Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
[9] Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
[10] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
[11] For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
[12] If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
[13] A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
[14] Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
[15] To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
[16] He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
[17] Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant.
[18] And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
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