Chapter 9

See, where wisdom has built herself a house, carved out for herself those seven pillars of hers!

And now, her sacrificial victims slain, her wine mingled, her banquet spread,

this way and that her maidens are dispatched, to city keep and city wall, bidding her guests make haste.

Simple hearts, she says, draw near me; and to all that lack learning this is her cry,

Come and eat at my table, come and drink of the wine I have brewed for you;

say farewell to your childishness, and learn to live; follow all of you in the path that leads to discernment.

(Rash souls there are, godless souls, that will not be taught or trained; who makes the attempt, gets only injury and abuse for his thanks.

With a rash fool never remonstrate; it will make him thy enemy; only the wise are grateful for a remonstrance.

Ever the wise profit by the opportunity to become wiser yet; ever the godly are the best learners.1)

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord; he best discerns, who has knowledge of holy things.

Long life I bring thee, and a full tale of years;

wisdom thyself shall profit, and misfortune fall only on the rash fools that earned it.

Out upon her silly clamour, the woman that is so crafty, yet knowledge has none!

At her door she sits, her chair commanding the city’s height,

and cries aloud to such as pass by on their lawful errands.

Simple hearts, she says, draw near me, and to all that lack learning this is her cry,

Stolen waters are sweetest, and bread is better eating when there is none to see.

Who shall warn them that dead men are her company, no guest of hers but is guest of the dark world beneath?