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The Way of Wisdom

(Ezra 4:6-16; Esther 1:1-9; Proverbs 1:1-7)

¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out^(a) her seven pillars.² She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.³ She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city:⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks judgment she says:⁵ “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.⁶ Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”⁷ He who corrects a mocker will bring shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man will be tainted.⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.¹¹ For through wisdom^(a) your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.¹² If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

The Way of Folly

¹³ The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,¹⁵ calling to those who pass by, who make their paths straight:¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks judgment she says:¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”¹⁸ But they do not know that the dead^(a) are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.