1: Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? 2: On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she stands. 3: Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entry doors, she cries aloud: 4: "To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 5: You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. 6: Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. 7: For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8: All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 9: They are all plain to him who understands, Right to those who find knowledge. 10: Receive my instruction rather than silver; Knowledge rather than choice gold. 11: For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it. 12: "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. 13: The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. 14: Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. 15: By me kings reign, And princes decree justice. 16: By me princes rule; Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. 17: I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. 18: With me are riches, honor, Enduring wealth, and prosperity. 19: My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver. 20: I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; 21: That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. 22: "Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, Before his deeds of old. 23: I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth existed. 24: When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25: Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27: When he established the heavens, I was there; When he set a circle on the surface of the deep, 28: When he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong, 29: When he gave to the sea its boundary, That the waters should not violate his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30: Then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before him, 31: Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. 32: "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33: Hear instruction, and be wise, Don't refuse it. 34: Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts. 35: For whoever finds me, finds life, And will obtain favor from Yahweh. 36: But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."
