1 D oth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2 S he standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3 S he crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4 U nto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6 H ear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 F or my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 A ll the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

9 T hey are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 R eceive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 F or 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 witty inventions.

13 T he fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14 C ounsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

15 B y me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 B y me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

18 R iches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

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

20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21 t hat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

22 T he Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24 W hen there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 B efore the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26 w hile as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

27 W hen he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

28 w hen he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29 w hen he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30 t hen I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31 r ejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32 N ow therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33 H ear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34 B lessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 F or whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

36 B ut he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.