1 Does not wisdom call out? And does not understanding put forth her voice?

2 She stands at the top of high places, by the wayside, where the paths meet,

3 beside the gates; at the opening to the city, at the doors of entry, she cries aloud:

4 I call out to you, O men, and my voice is to the sons of men.

5 Understand wisdom, you simple ones; and you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them;

9 they are all plain to the one who 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 jewels, and all delightful things cannot be compared to it.

12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find out the knowledge of devices.

13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14 Counsel and sound wisdom are mine; I am understanding; I have strength.

15 By me kings reign, and judges decree justice.

16 Rulers and nobles rule by me; even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early find me.

18 Riches and honor are with me; enduring wealth and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;

21 to cause those who love me to inherit substance, and I will fill up their treasuries.

22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of His way; His works from antiquity.

23 I was anointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 before He had made the earth and the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.

27 When He established the heavens, I was there; when He inscribed a circle upon the face of the deep,

28 when He made firm the clouds above, when He made strong the fountains of the deep,

29 when He gave to the sea its limit, that the waters should not pass beyond His command; when He engraved the foundations of the earth,

30 then I was at His side, like a master workman; and I was His delight day by day, being in merriment before Him at all times;

31 making merry in the world, His earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore listen to me, O children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.

34 Blessed is the man who gives heed to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor from Jehovah.

36 But he who sins against me does violence to his own soul; all who hate me love death.