Proverbs 9:12-17 in English

¹² If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴ And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil.

^12a He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their flight:

^12b for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray;

^12c and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

¹³ A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.

¹⁴ She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,

¹⁵ calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;

¹⁶ saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,

¹⁷ Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.

¹² If 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.

¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² If 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.

¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

¹³ A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.

¹⁴ She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,

¹⁵ calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;

¹⁶ saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,

¹⁷ Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.

¹² If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴ And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways,

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² If you are wise, you are the one who will benefit from it; if you ridicule becoming wise, you are the one who will suffer.

¹³ Foolish women talk loudly; they are ignorant and are never ashamed of the wrong things that they do.

¹⁴ They sit at the doors of their houses or they sit on the top of the hills in the town,

¹⁵ and they call out to the men who are passing by, who are trying to be concerned with their own affairs,

¹⁶ “You people who need to understand more, come into my house!” And to those who are ignorant, they call out,

¹⁷ “ Just as water which you have stolen tastes very good and food that you eat by yourself tastes the best, if you have sex secretly with someone to whom you are not married, you will enjoy it very much.”

¹² Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbours; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

¹³ A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.

¹⁴ She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,

¹⁵ calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;

¹⁶ saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,

¹⁷ Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.

¹³ The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.

¹⁴ Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,

¹⁵ Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:

¹⁶ Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:

¹⁷ Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.

¹² If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴ And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call passers-by who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.

¹² If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.

¹³ A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,

¹⁴ Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,

¹⁵ To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:

¹⁶ He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.

¹² If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.

¹³ Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,

¹⁵ calling out to those passing by, going about their business,

¹⁶ “Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹² If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

¹³ The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴ And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

¹⁷ 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

¹² If 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.

¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call passengers Who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: And as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”

¹³ The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what to do.

¹⁴ And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.

¹⁵ To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that is void of sense, she saith to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”

¹² Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbors; And if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil.

^12a He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, And the same will pursue birds in their flight:

^12b For he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, And he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray;

^12c And he goes through a dry desert, And a land appointed to drought, And he gathers barrenness with his hands.

¹³ A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, Comes to want a morsel.

¹⁴ She sits at the doors of her house, On a seat openly in the streets,

¹⁵ Calling to passers by, And to those that are going right on their ways;

¹⁶ saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; And I exhort those that want prudence, saying,

¹⁷ Take and enjoy secret bread, And the sweet water of theft.

¹² If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou art a scoffer, thou alone must bear it.”

¹³ The foolish woman is clamorous; She is very simple, and careth for nothing.

¹⁴ She sitteth at the door of her house, Upon a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call aloud to those that pass by, Who go straight forward in their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” And to him that is void of understanding she saith,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”

¹³ The woman of foolishness is ignorant; she is untaught and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the highest places of the town.

¹⁵ She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.

¹⁶ “Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,” she says to those who have no sense.

¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is delicious.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If thou art 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.

¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways:

¹⁶ Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹² If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise to thyself, and to thy neighbours. Forsooth if thou art a scorner, thou alone shalt bear evil.

¹³ A fond or foolish woman, and full of cry, and full of unleaveful lusts, and that knoweth nothing utterly,

¹⁴ sitteth in the doors of her house, on a seat, in an high place of the city;

¹⁵ to call men passing by the way, and men going in their journey.

¹⁶ Who is a little man in wit; bow he to me. And she spake to a coward or to the sorry-hearted,

¹⁷ Waters of theft be sweeter, and bread hid is sweeter. Stolen waters be sweeter, and hid bread more sweet.

¹² If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise to thyself, and to thy neighbours. Forsooth if thou art a scorner, thou alone shalt bear evil. (If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise, or gain advantage, for thyself, and for thy friends as well. But if thou art a mocker, thou alone shalt bear the evil.)

¹³ A fond woman, and full of cry, and full of unleaveful lusts, and that knoweth nothing utterly, (A loud and foolish woman, full of unlawful lusts, who knoweth utterly nothing,)

¹⁴ sitteth in the doors of her house (or sitteth at the door of her house), on a seat, in an high place of the city;

¹⁵ to call men passing by the way, and men going in their journey. (to call to men passing by the way, and to men going on their journey.)

¹⁶ Who is a little man in wit; bow he to me, (or And she saith to herself, Who is a man of little intelligence; turn he unto me). And she spake to a coward, (and said),

¹⁷ Waters of theft be sweeter, and bread hid is sweeter. (Stolen water is sweeter, and hidden bread is sweeter.)

¹² If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned — thyself bearest it.

¹³ A foolish woman is noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.

¹⁴ And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne — the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight on their paths.

¹⁶ 'Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart — she said to him,

¹⁷ 'Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'