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[1] He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her.
[2] And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
[3] With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
[4] He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.
[5] She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.
[6] He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
[7] But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her.
[8] For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
[9] Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord.
[10] For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.
[11] Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.
[12] Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man.
[13] The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it not.
[14] He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel;
[15] If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithfulness.
[16] He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt.
[17] Before man is life and death; and whether him liketh shall be given him.
[18] For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things:
[19] And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth every work of man.
[20] He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given any man licence to sin.
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