Proverbs 9 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat, mixed her wine, and set her table.

She has sent out her young women to call from the highest points of the city:

"Whoever lacks good sense — come over here!" And to the one who has no judgment, she says:

"Come eat my food and drink the wine I've mixed.

Leave your naivety behind and live! Walk in the way of understanding."

Anyone who corrects a mocker is asking for insults. Anyone who confronts a wicked person will get hurt.

Don't correct a mocker—they'll hate you for it. Correct a wise person and they'll love you.

Give guidance to a wise person and they'll become even wiser. Teach a just person and they'll grow in learning.

Respect for Yahweh is where wisdom starts, and knowing the one who is set apart beyond all others — that's real understanding.

Through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

If you're wise, your wisdom benefits you. If you're a mocker, you bear it alone.

Folly is a loud, reckless woman who knows nothing at all.

She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

calling out to everyone who passes by, who are going straight on their way:

"Whoever lacks good sense — come over here!" And to the one who has no judgment, she says:

"Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret tastes so good."

But he doesn't realize that the dead are there — that her guests are in the depths of the grave.