New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
1
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
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She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
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She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
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“Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
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“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
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Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
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Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
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 bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
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Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
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Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.
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 become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
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The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
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 in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.
15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
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She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
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“Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
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“Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
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 little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.