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

Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?

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

She takes her stand on the top of the high 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,

She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:

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

“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.

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

O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

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

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

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

For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

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

All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

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

They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.

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

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

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

For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

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

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.

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

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

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

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

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

By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

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

By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.

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

I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

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

Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

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

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

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

I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

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

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

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

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

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

I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

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

When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.

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

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

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

While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal 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.

When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

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

When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

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.

When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of 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.

Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

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

Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

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

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

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

Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

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

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

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

For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;

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

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”