The Lantern

Proverbs9

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;

She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:

'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.

He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of HaShem is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.

And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:

'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

But he knoweth not that the shades are there; that her guests are in the depths of the nether-world.