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[1]Does not wisdom call out? And does not understanding put forth her voice?
[2]She stands at the top of high places, by the wayside, where the paths meet,
[3]beside the gates; at the opening to the city, at the doors of entry, she cries aloud:
[4]I call out to you, O men, and my voice is to the sons of men.
[5]Understand wisdom, you simple ones; and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
[6]Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips shall be right things.
[7]For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
[8]All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them;
[9]they are all plain to the one who understands; and right to those who find knowledge.
[10]Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge, rather than choice gold.
[11]For wisdom is better than jewels, and all delightful things cannot be compared to it.
[12]I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find out the knowledge of devices.
[13]The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
[14]Counsel and sound wisdom are mine; I am understanding; I have strength.
[15]By me kings reign, and judges decree justice.
[16]Rulers and nobles rule by me; even all the judges of the earth.
[17]I love those who love me, and those who seek me early find me.
[18]Riches and honor are with me; enduring wealth and righteousness.
[19]My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
[20]I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;
[21]to cause those who love me to inherit substance, and I will fill up their treasuries.
[22]Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of His way; His works from antiquity.
[23]I was anointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth.
[24]When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs abounding with water.
[25]Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth;
[26]before He had made the earth and the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.
[27]When He established the heavens, I was there; when He inscribed a circle upon the face of the deep,
[28]when He made firm the clouds above, when He made strong the fountains of the deep,
[29]when He gave to the sea its limit, that the waters should not pass beyond His command; when He engraved the foundations of the earth,
[30]then I was at His side, like a master workman; and I was His delight day by day, being in merriment before Him at all times;
[31]making merry in the world, His earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.
[32]Now therefore listen to me, O children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
[33]Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.
[34]Blessed is the man who gives heed to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
[35]For whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor from Jehovah.
[36]But he who sins against me does violence to his own soul; all who hate me love death.
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