1 - Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 - At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 - beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 - "To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 - You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6 - Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 - My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 - All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 - To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 - Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 - for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 - "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 - To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 - Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15 - By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 - by me princes govern, and nobles - all who rule on earth.
17 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 - With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 - My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 - I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 - bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22 - "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,
23 - I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 - When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 - before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
26 - before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.
27 - I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 - when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 - when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 - Then I was constantly
31 - rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32 - "Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 - Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
34 - Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 - For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
36 - But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death."