✧Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? ✧2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. ✧3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. ✧4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man. ✧5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye 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] an abomination to my lips. ✧8All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward 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 to it. ✧12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. ✧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 wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength. ✧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 early 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 lead 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 I will fill their treasures. ✧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 highest part of the dust of the world. ✧27When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: ✧28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: ✧29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: ✧30Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him:] and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him; ✧31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men. ✧32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: 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.