Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
1
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
2 She has prepared her meat. 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 maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
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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!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
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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 some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which 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. Walk in the way of understanding."
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Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
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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 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he 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 Instruct 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. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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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. The years of your life will be increased.
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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 mock, 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 foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, 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, On a seat in the high places of the city,
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She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their ways,
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And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
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"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food 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 doesn't know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of She'ol.
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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 Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.