The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
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Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.
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She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set 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 has sent out her maidens. She cries from 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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"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
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"Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
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Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk 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 who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
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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Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
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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Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous 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 Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One 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 your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will 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 you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore - brazen, empty-headed, frivolous.
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The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
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She sits 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 to those who pass by, Who go straight on their ways,
16 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
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"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says 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."
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"Stolen water is sweet. Food 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 doesn't know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
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 World English Bible is in the public domain.