English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.
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Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
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The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.
3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,
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Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,
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"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!
5 "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
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I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
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Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
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If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
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So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different - they'll love you for it!
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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Save your breath for the wise - they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know - they'll profit from it.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
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Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
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It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
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Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too
13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
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Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore - brazen, empty-headed, frivolous.
14 She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
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She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
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And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says,
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"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
17 "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
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Steal off with me, I'll show you a good time! No one will ever know - I'll give you the time of your life."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
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But they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.