The Excellence of Wisdom

1Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?

2On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

4"To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

5You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.

6Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

7For my mouth speaks truth. 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 who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

10Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

12"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

17I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

18With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;

21That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

22"Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

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

25Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was 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 on the surface of the deep,

28when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

29when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;

30then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

31Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

32"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise. Don't refuse it.

34Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

35For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."