1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding utter her voice?
2She standeth in the top of the high places, by the way in the place of the paths.
3She crieth besides the gates before the city at the entry of the doors,
4O men, I call unto you, and utter my voice to the children of men.
5O ye foolish men, understand wisdom, and ye, O fools, be wise in heart.
6Give ear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall teach things that be right.
7For my mouth shall speak the truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.
8All the words of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdness, nor frowardness in them.
9They are all plain to them that will understand, and straight to them that would find knowledge.
10Receive mine instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold.
11For wisdom is better than precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared unto her.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and I find forth knowledge and counsels.
13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, as pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way: and a mouth that speaketh lewd things I do hate.
14I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule, and the nobles, and all the judges of the earth.
17I love them that love me: and they that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honor are with me: even durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, even than fine gold, and my revenues better than fine silver.
20I cause to walk in the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of judgment,
21That I may cause them that love me, to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures.
22The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was before his works of old.
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, and before the earth.
24When there were no depths, was I begotten, when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled: and before the hills, was I begotten.
26He had not yet made the earth, nor the open places, nor the height of the dust in the world.
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there, when he set the compass upon the deep:
28When he established the clouds above: when he confirmed the fountains of the deep:
29When he gave his decree to the sea, that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth.
30Then was I with him as a nourisher, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him,
31And took my solace in the compass of his earth: and my delight is with the children of men.
32Therefore now hearken, O children, unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be ye wise, and refuse it not: blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doors.
34For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.
35But he that sinneth against me, hurteth his own soul: and all that hate me, love death.