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Wisdom has a built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
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b She has slaughtered her meat,
c She has mixed her wine,
She has also 1 furnished her table.
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She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
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"Whoever d is simple, let him turn in here!"
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
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"Come, e eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
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Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
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"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
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f Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
g Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
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Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, h and he will increase in learning.
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"The i fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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j For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
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k If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."