Verse 1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
Verse 2
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Verse 3
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Verse 4
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Verse 5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Verse 6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Verse 7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Verse 8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Verse 9
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Verse 10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Verse 11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Verse 12
I wisdom dwell with udence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Verse 13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: ide, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Verse 14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Verse 15
By me kings reign, and inces decree justice.
Verse 16
By me inces rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Verse 17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Verse 18
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Verse 19
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Verse 20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Verse 21
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Verse 22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Verse 23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Verse 24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Verse 25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Verse 26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Verse 27
When he epared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Verse 28
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Verse 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:
Verse 30
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Verse 31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Verse 32
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Verse 33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Verse 34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Verse 35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Verse 36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.