1 D oes not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 S he takes her stand on the top of the hill beside the way, where the paths meet.

3 B eside the gates in front of the town, at the open doors, she cries out,

4 “ I call to you, O men. My voice is to the sons of men.

5 O child-like ones, learn to use wisdom. O fools, make your mind understand.

6 L isten, for I will speak great things. What is right will come from my lips.

7 F or my mouth will speak the truth. My lips hate wrong-doing.

8 A ll the words of my mouth are right and good. There is nothing in them that is against the truth.

9 T hey are all clear to him who understands, and right to those who find much learning.

10 T ake my teaching instead of silver. Take much learning instead of fine gold.

11 F or wisdom is better than stones of great worth. All that you may desire cannot compare with her.

12 “ I, wisdom, live with understanding, and I find much learning and careful thinking.

13 T he fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and lies.

14 I have teaching and wisdom. I have understanding and power.

15 B y me kings rule and rulers make laws that are fair.

16 B y me rulers rule, and all the princes rule on the earth.

17 I love those who love me, and those who look for me with much desire will find me.

18 R iches and honor are mine, lasting riches and being right with God.

19 M y fruit is better than gold, even pure gold. What I give is better than fine silver.

20 I walk in the way that is right with God, in the center of the ways that are fair.

21 I give riches to those who love me, and fill their store-houses.

22 “ The Lord made me at the beginning of His work, before His first works long ago.

23 I was set apart long ago, from the beginning, before the earth was.

24 I was born when there were no seas, when there were no pools full of water.

25 I was born before the mountains and hills were in their places.

26 I t was before He had made the earth or the fields, or the first dust of the world.

27 I was there when He made the heavens, and when He drew a mark around the top of the sea.

28 I was there when He put the skies above, and when He put the wells of the waters in their place.

29 I was there when He marked out the places for the sea, so that the waters would not go farther than what He said. I was there when He marked out the ground for the earth.

30 I was beside Him as the leading workman. I was His joy every day. I was always happy when I was near Him.

31 I was happy in the world, His earth, and found joy in the sons of men.

32 “ So now, O sons, listen to me, for happy are they who keep my ways.

33 H ear my teaching and be wise. Do not turn away from it.

34 H appy is the man who listens to me, watching every day at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

35 F or he who finds me finds life, and gets favor from the Lord.

36 B ut he who misses me hurts himself. All those who hate me love death.”