1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.9.2 her beasts: Heb. her killing 3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13¶ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.9.17 eaten…: Heb. of secrecies 18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Visdommen og dårskaben
1Visdommen har bygget et stort palads
med syv smukt udskårne søjler.
2Bordet er dækket til fest
med lækker mad og udsøgte vine.
3Tjenerne er ude at indbyde folk,
de kalder fra byens højdedrag:
4„Kom, I enfoldige mennesker,
hvis I ønsker at få indsigt.
5Kom med til visdommens fest
og smag den udsøgte vin.
6Opgiv jeres tåbelige tanker,
lær at blive vise, så I kan leve ret.”
7Det er farligt at irettesætte de hovmodige,
at undervise dem giver kun problemer.
8Hvis du prøver at belære de hovmodige, vil de hade dig,
men de vise sætter pris på en tilrettevisning.
9Vejled de vise, så bliver de endnu visere.
Undervis de kloge, og deres lærdom forøges.
10Ærefrygt for Herren fører til visdom,
at kende den hellige Gud giver forstand.
11Visdom forlænger ens levetid,
der lægges flere år til ens liv.
12Når du er vis, er det til dit eget bedste,
vrager du visdom, skader du dig selv.
13Dårskab er som en trodsig kvinde,
ganske tåbelig og uden forstand.
14Hun sidder i sin gadedør og venter,
mens hun ser ud over byen.
15Hun kalder på dem, der går forbi,
mens de er fordybet i egne tanker:
16„Kom indenfor, I uvidende,
hvis I ønsker at lære noget.
17Den forbudte frugt smager bedst,
det er herligt at have hemmeligheder!”
18Den naive ved ikke, at det fører til død,
at alle hendes gæster ender i graven.
