New International Version NIV
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
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Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
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She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
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She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
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Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
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Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
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Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
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He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
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Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
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Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
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For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
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If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
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The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
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Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
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Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
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Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
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Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
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But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.