1
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
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Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
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Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
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Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
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He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
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Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
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For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
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If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
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¶ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
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For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
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To call passengers who go right on their ways:
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Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
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Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
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But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.