New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
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Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.
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She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,
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She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the town,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
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"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who is without sense she says,
5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.
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"Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.
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Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
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He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
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Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
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Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
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For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."
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If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.
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A foolish woman is noisy; she is wanton and knows no shame.
14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,
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She sits at the door of her house, she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:
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calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
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"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who is without sense she says,
17 "Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
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"Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.
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But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.