• 1 Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
  • 2 She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
  • 3 She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
  • 4 To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
  • 5 O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.
  • 6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
  • 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
  • 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing fraudulent or perverse in them.
  • 9 They are all plain to him that understands, and right to them that find knowledge.
  • 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
  • 11 For 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 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the fraudulent mouth, do I hate.
  • 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
  • 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
  • 16 By 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 Riches and honor are with me; yes, durable riches and righteousness.
  • 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
  • 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment:
  • 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
  • 22 The 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 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
  • 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
  • 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
  • 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth:
  • 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
  • 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
  • 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
  • 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
  • 32 Now therefore listen to me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
  • 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
  • 34 Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
  • 35 For whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.
  • 36 But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.