Proverbs 9

1Wisdom built her house, And she supported it with seven pillars.

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2She offered her sacrifices; She mixed her wine in a bowl And prepared her table.

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3She sent her servants, Inviting people to the bowl with a lofty proclamation, saying,

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4"He who is without discernment, Let him turn aside to me"; And to those in need of discernment, she says,

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5"Come, eat my bread And drink the wine I mixed for you;

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6Forsake lack of discernment, and you shall live; Seek discernment so you may live, And keep straight your understanding with knowledge."

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7He who chastises evil men shall receive dishonor to himself, And he who reproves the ungodly man shall be blamed himself.

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8Do not reprove evil men, so they may not hate you; Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

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9Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser; Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.

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10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the counsel of saints is understanding; For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.

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11For in this manner you will live a long time, And the years of your life shall be increased.

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12My son, if you become wise in yourself, you shall also be wise toward your neighbor; But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

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13He who supports himself with lies will shepherd winds And chase flying birds;

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14For he abandoned the ways of his own vineyard And strayed from paths of his own farming;

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15And he will pass through a waterless desert, A land assigned to drought, And he gathers barrenness with his hands.

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16A woman in need of a morsel is without discernment and overbold; She has no sense of shame.

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17She sits upon the doors of her own house, Upon a seat openly in the streets,

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18Calling to those who pass by And who go straight along their paths,

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19"He who is very lacking in discernment, let him turn aside to me; And he who is in need of discernment, I exhort, saying,

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20'Grasp with pleasure the secret bread And the sweet water of theft.' "

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21But he does not know that the inhabitants of the earth perish beside her, And he happens upon a snare of Hades.

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22But hurry off, do not continue in that place, Neither set your eye toward her;

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23For so you shall pass through strange water And cross beyond a strange river;

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24And keep away from strange water, And do not drink from a strange fountain;

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25That you may live a long time And add years of life to yourself.

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