Verse 1 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? Verse 2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands. Verse 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: Verse 4 "To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. Verse 5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. Verse 6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. Verse 7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Verse 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. Verse 9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge. Verse 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold. Verse 11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it. Verse 12 "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. Verse 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. Verse 14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. Verse 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Verse 16 By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. Verse 17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. Verse 18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. Verse 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver. Verse 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice; Verse 21 That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. Verse 22 "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. Verse 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. Verse 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Verse 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth; Verse 26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. Verse 27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, Verse 28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong, Verse 29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth; Verse 30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him, Verse 31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. Verse 32 "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Verse 33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Do not refuse it. Verse 34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. Verse 35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from the Lord. Verse 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."