[1] Is not wisdom crying out, and the voice of knowledge sounding? [2] At
the top of the highways, at the meeting of the roads, she takes her place;
[3] Where the roads go into the town her cry goes out, at the doorways her
voice is loud: [4] I am crying out to you, O men; my voice comes to the
sons of men. [5] Become expert in reason, O you simple ones; you foolish
ones, take training to heart. [6] Give ear, for my words are true, and my
lips are open to give out what is upright. [7] For good faith goes out of
my mouth, and false lips are disgusting to me. [8] All the words of my
mouth are righteousness; there is nothing false or twisted in them. [9]
They are all true to him whose mind is awake, and straightforward to those
who get knowledge. [10] Take my teaching, and not silver; get knowledge in
place of the best gold. [11] For wisdom is better than jewels, and all
things which may be desired are nothing in comparison with her. [12] I,
wisdom, have made wise behaviour my near relation; I am seen to be the
special friend of wise purposes. [13] The fear of the Lord is seen in
hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false
tongue, are unpleasing to me. [14] Wise design and good sense are mine;
reason and strength are mine. [15] Through me kings have their power, and
rulers give right decisions. [16] Through me chiefs have authority, and the
noble ones are judging in righteousness. [17] Those who have given me their
love are loved by me, and those who make search for me with care will get
me. [18] Wealth and honour are in my hands, even wealth without equal and
righteousness. [19] My fruit is better than gold, even than the best gold;
and my increase is more to be desired than silver. [20] I go in the road of
righteousness, in the way of right judging: [21] So that I may give my
lovers wealth for their heritage, making their store-houses full. [22] The
Lord made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past.
[23] From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before
the earth was. [24] When there was no deep I was given birth, when there
were no fountains flowing with water. [25] Before the mountains were put in
their places, before the hills was my birth: [26] When he had not made the
earth or the fields or the dust of the world. [27] When he made ready the
heavens I was there: when he put an arch over the face of the deep: [28]
When he made strong the skies overhead: when the fountains of the deep were
fixed: [29] When he put a limit to the sea, so that the waters might not go
against his word: when he put in position the bases of the earth: [30] Then
I was by his side, as a master workman: and I was his delight from day to
day, playing before him at all times; [31] Playing in his earth; and my
delight was with the sons of men. [32] Give ear to me then, my sons: for
happy are those who keep my ways. [33] Take my teaching and be wise; do not
let it go. [34] Happy is the man who gives ear to me, watching at my doors
day by day, keeping his place by the pillars of my house. [35] For whoever
gets me gets life, and grace from the Lord will come to him. [36] But he
who does evil to me, does wrong to his soul: all my haters are in love with
death.
