The Way of Wisdom
(Proverbs 1:1–7)

1Wisedome hath built her house, and hewen out her seuen pillars.

2She hath killed her vitailes, drawen her wine, and prepared her table.

3She hath sent forth her maydens and cryeth vpon the highest places of the citie, saying,

4Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, she sayth,

5Come, and eate of my meate, and drinke of the wine that I haue drawen.

6Forsake your way, ye foolish, and ye shall liue: and walke in the way of vnderstanding.

7He that reproueth a scorner, purchaseth to himselfe shame: and he that rebuketh the wicked, getteth himselfe a blot.

8Rebuke not a scorner, least he hate thee: but rebuke a wise man, and he will loue thee.

9Giue admonition to the wise, and he will be the wiser: teache a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10The beginning of wisedome is the feare of the Lorde, and the knowledge of holy things, is vnderstanding.

11For thy dayes shalbe multiplied by me, and the yeeres of thy life shalbe augmented.

12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy selfe, and if thou be a scorner, thou alone shalt suffer.

The Way of Folly

13A foolish woman is troublesome: she is ignorant, and knoweth nothing.

14But she sitteth at the doore of her house on a seate in the hie places of the citie,

15To call them that passe by the way, that go right on their way, saying,

16Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, shee sayth also,

17Stollen waters are sweete, and hid bread is pleasant.

18But he knoweth not, that ye dead are there, and that her ghestes are in the depth of hell.