1 D oesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

2 O n the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

3 B eside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

4 “ To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

5 Y ou simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 H ear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

7 F or my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 A ll the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9 T hey are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

10 R eceive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 F or wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

12 “ I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

13 T he fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14 C ounsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

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

16 B y me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

18 W ith me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

19 M y fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.

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

21 T hat I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

22 “ Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

24 W hen there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

25 B efore the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

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

27 W hen he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

28 w hen he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

29 w hen he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;

30 t hen I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

31 R ejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

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

33 H ear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

34 B lessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

35 F or whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

36 B ut he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”