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| 1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding
put forth her voice? 2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way
in the places of the paths. 3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the
city, at the coming in at the doors. 4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice
is to the sons of man. 5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools,
be ye of an understanding heart. 6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;
and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7For my mouth shall speak
truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words
of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse
in them. 9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right
to them that find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver;
and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is better than rubies;
and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. 22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. 32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. |
Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as
understanding raises her voice! 2 She stands on the hilltop and at the
crossroads. 3 At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries
aloud, 4 “I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people.
5 How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let
me give you understanding. 6 Listen to me! For I have excellent things
to tell you. Everything I say is right, 7 for I speak the truth and hate
every kind of deception. 8 My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing
crooked or twisted in it. 9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those who want to learn.
10 “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it. 12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. 13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech. 14 Good advice and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. 15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. 16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. 17 “I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me. 18 Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are mine to distribute. 19 My gifts are better than the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! 20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. 21 Those who love me inherit wealth, for I fill their treasuries. 22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25 Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born—26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27 “I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31 And how happy I was with what he created—his wide world and all the human family! 32 “And so, my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. 33 Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it. 34 “Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the Lord. 36 But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death.” |