Chapter 9

  Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.  

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  She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.  

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  She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,  

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  Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:  

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  Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.  

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  Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.  

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  He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.  

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  Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.  

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  Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.  

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  The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind  

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  For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.  

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  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.  

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  The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.  

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  Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,  

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  Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:  

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  Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:  

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  Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.  

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  But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.  

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