The Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–7)
1 CPDV Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns. BSB BSB: Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 CPDV She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table. BSB BSB: She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 CPDV She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city, BSB BSB: She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4 CPDV “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said: BSB BSB: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5 CPDV “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you. BSB BSB: “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 CPDV Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.” BSB BSB: Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 CPDV Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself. BSB BSB: He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8 CPDV Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you. BSB BSB: Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 CPDV Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it. BSB BSB: Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 CPDV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence. BSB BSB: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 CPDV For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you. BSB BSB: For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 CPDV If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil. BSB BSB: 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 CPDV A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all, BSB BSB: The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14 CPDV sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city, BSB BSB: She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
15 CPDV so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey: BSB BSB: calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16 CPDV “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said, BSB BSB: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17 CPDV “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.” BSB BSB: “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18 CPDV And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell. BSB BSB: But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.