1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice? |
2 On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand; |
3 beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud: |
4 "To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind. |
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding. |
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right. |
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness. |
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse. |
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge. |
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold, |
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her. |
12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion. |
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech. |
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power. |
15 By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just; |
16 by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth.1 8:16 Many Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts and nobles-all righteous rulers |
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me. |
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity. |
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver. |
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice, |
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full. |
22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,2 8:22 Or way ; or dominion ,3 8:22 Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work ; or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work
before his deeds of old; |
23 I was appointed4 8:23 Or fashioned from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began. |
24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water; |
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth, |
26 before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world. |
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, |
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, |
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. |
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence, |
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind. |
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways. |
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it. |
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway. |
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD . |
36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death." |
