The Excellence of Wisdom

1Doth not wisdom cry, and understanding put forth her voice?

2In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth;

3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.

5O ye simple, understand subtilty; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6Hear, for I will speak excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7For my mouth shall utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that 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 unto her.

12I wisdom have made subtilty my dwelling, and find out knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me diligently shall find me.

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27When he established the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the deep:

28When he made firm the sides above: when the fountains of the deep became strong:

29When he gave to the sea its bound, that the waters should not transgress his commandment: when he marked out the foundations of the earth:

30Then I was by him, as a master workman: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31Rejoicing in his habitable earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.

32Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.