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[1]Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
[2]She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
[3]She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.
[4]To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
[5]O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye 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 froward or perverse in them.
[9]They are all plain to him that understandeth, 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 ingenious inventions.
[13]The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward 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; 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 midst 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 upon 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 hearken to me, O ye 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 heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
[35]For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD.
[36]But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
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