Does not wisdom call out , and understanding raise her voice ?
On the heights ... overlooking the road , at the crossroads ... she takes her stand.
Beside the gates to the city , at the entrances ... she cries out :
“ To you , O men , I call out , and my cry is to the sons of men.
O simple ones , learn to be shrewd ; O fools , gain understanding ....
Listen , for I speak of noble things , and the opening of my lips (will reveal) right.
For my mouth will speak the tRuth - , and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous ; none are crooked or perverse.
They (are) all plain to the discerning , and upright to those who find knowledge.
Receive my instruction instead of silver , and knowledge rather than pure gold.
For wisdom is more precious than rubies , and nothing ... you desire compares
I , wisdom , dwell together with prudence , and I find knowledge and discretion.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil ; I hate arrogant pride , evil conduct , and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment I have insight and strength.
kings reign , and rulers enact just laws ;
princes rule , and all nobles who govern justly.
I love those who love me , and those who seek me early shall find me.
With me are riches and honor , enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold , pure gold , and my harvest (surpasses) choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness , along the paths of justice ,
bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries {full}.
The LORD created me as His first course , before His works of old.
From everlasting I was established , from the beginning , before the earth began.
When there were no watery depths , I was brought forth , when no springs were overflowing with water.
Before the mountains were settled , before the hills , I was brought forth ,
before ... He made the land or fields , or any of the dust of the earth.
I was there when He established the heavens , when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep ,
when He established the clouds above , when the fountains of the deep gushed forth ,
when He set a boundary for the sea , so that the waters would not surpass His command , when He Mark -ed out the foundations of the earth.
Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side , and His delight day (by) day , rejoicing always ... in His presence.
I was rejoicing in His whole world ... , delighting together in the sons of men.
Now therefore , my sons , listen for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to instruction and be wise ; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens watching daily ... at my doors , waiting at the posts of my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
But he who fails to find me harms himself ; all who hate me love death. ”