New Revised Standard NRS
The Message Bible MSG
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.
1
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.
2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
2
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 servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town,
3
Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
4 "You that are simple, turn in here!" To those without 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 of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
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I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
6 Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
6
Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse; whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.
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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 A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you; the wise, when rebuked, will love you.
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!
9 Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.
9
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 the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
10
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, 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, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
12
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too
13 The foolish woman is loud; she is ignorant 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 high places of the town,
14
She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
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And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,
16 "You who are simple, turn in here!" And to those without sense she says,
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"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
17 "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
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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 they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
18
But they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.