Wisdom has built her house With wisdom has the Holy One, blessed be He, built the world.

she has hewn her seven pillars The seven days of Creation. Another explanation: This refers to the seven books of the Torah, since (Num. 10:35f.) “And it came about when the ark traveled...” is an individual book, as is stated in tractate Shabbath (116a).

She has prepared her meat, she has mingled her wine She has mixed it with water, like strong wine, that is unfit to drink unmixed.

she has even set her table All creations of liquid and solid.

She has sent her maidens Adam and Eve.

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here” and learn it and become wise.

of the wine I have mingled Heb. מסכתי.

Leave, you simpletons the way of simplicity and live.

and step Heb. מסכתי, an expression of stepping, as in (Job 23:11): “To his steps (באשרו) my foot was held fast.”

and he who reproves a wicked man, that is his blemish It is a blemish to the one who reproves [him], for this one berates him and does not heed him. This is a warning that it is forbidden to talk with those who entice to worship idols, even to reprove them and to draw them near.

Give a wise man, and he will become yet wiser To a worthy pupil, and the Midrash Aggadah (Tanchuma, Vayakhel 6) states: It was said to Noah, “From every clean animal, etc.” (Gen. 7:2), and when he went out, “And he took from all clean animals, etc.” (ibid. 8:20). He said, “What did the Holy One, blessed be He, see to increase the number of these? It is only because He wished that I offer up some of them.”

teach a righteous man wisdom, and he will increase in learning from his own knowledge in addition to what he heard.

and the knowledge of the holy ones is the root of understanding.

and they will add to you years of life Years of life are those of sustenance and wealth.

and whoever is devoid of sense (lit. and one devoid of sense.) and she says to him these words. What does she say to him?

Stolen water is sweet The pleasure afforded by intimacy with a single woman does not equal that afforded by intimacy with a married woman. Also, regarding the commandments (other editions: sectarianism), stolen water is sweet, for they were afraid to do it in public, but did it in secret.