The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
1
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.
2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
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She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!
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Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
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Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
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Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
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He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 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!
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Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Save your breath for the wise - they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know - they'll profit from it.
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Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.
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For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too
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If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore - brazen, empty-headed, frivolous.
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A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
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For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,
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To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
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Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 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."
17
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.
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But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.