New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
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Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
2 She has prepared her meat and 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 servants, and she calls from the highest point 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 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no 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 my food and drink 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 you will live; 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 mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs 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 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they 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 the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their 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 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 through wisdom your days will be many, 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, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
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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 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple 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 at the highest point of the city,
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She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
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And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
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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 delicious!”
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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 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 they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.
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.
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.