1Does not wisdom call? And does not understanding put forth her voice? 2She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the path. 3She cries in the gates, before the entrance of the city, [at] the doors. 4To you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man. 5O simple ones understand wisdom; and, fools, be 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] hateful to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; nothing twisted or perverse [is] in them. 9They [are] all plain to him who understands, and right to those who 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 sense, and find out knowledge of discretions. 13The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wicked mouth. 14Counsel and sound wisdom [are] Mine; I [am] understanding; I have strength. 15By Me kings reign and princes decree justice. 16Princes rule by Me, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. 17I love those who love Me; and those who seek Me early shall find Me. 18Riches and honor [are] with Me; enduring riches and righteousness. 19My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and what I give [is better than] choice silver. 20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment; 21I may cause those who love Me to inherit riches; and I will fill their treasuries. 22The LORD possessed Me from the beginning of His way, before His works of old. 23I was anointed from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth [ever was]. 24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when [there were] no springs heavy [with] water. 25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth. 26before He had made the earth, or the fields or the highest part of the dust of the world. 27When He prepared the heavens, I [was] there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep; 28when He set the clouds above; when He made the strong fountains of the deep; 29when He gave to the sea its limit that the waters should not pass His command; when He appointed the foundations of the earth; 30even I was a workman at His side; and I was daily [His] delight, rejoicing always before Him; 31rejoicing in the world, His earth; and My delight [was] with the sons of men. 32And now listen to Me, O sons; for blessed [are those who] keep My ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it. 34Blessed [is] the man who hears Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. 35For whoever finds Me finds life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD. 36But he who sins against Me wrongs his own soul; all who hate Me love death.