1. Does not wisdom cry? and understanding speak forth her voice?
2. She stands at the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3. She cries at the gates, at the entrance of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4. To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5. O you simple, understand wisdom: and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
6. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8. All the words of my mouth are spoken in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9. They are all plain to him that understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of clever devisings.
13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wayward mouth, do I hate.
14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17. I love those who love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18. Riches and honor are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness.
19. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my profit than choice silver.
20. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice:
21. That I may cause those that love me to inherit possessions; and I will fill their treasuries.
22. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth was.
24. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26. While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the chief part of the dust of the world.
27. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he marked out a circle upon the face of the depth:
28. When he established the clouds above: when he gave strength to the fountains of the deep:
29. When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30. Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32. Now therefore listen to me, O you children: for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34. Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35. For he who finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD.
36. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul: all those who hate me love death.
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