1Doesn't wisdom call out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?
2She stands at the top of the highest places along the road, where the paths meet.
3She calls out loudly beside the city gates, at the entrance to the city, at the doorways:
4“I am calling out to you, men! I am raising my voice to all people.
5You who are naive, learn to be careful. You who are foolish, develop an understanding heart.
6Listen, because I will speak important things. What I say will be right.
7My mouth speaks the truth. My lips detest wickedness.
8Everything I say is righteous. There is nothing crooked or wrong in my words.
9They are all clear to those who understand, and right to those who gain knowledge.
10Choose my instruction rather than silver; choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies. Nothing you might want can compare to it.”
12“I, wisdom, live with good judgment. I have knowledge and good sense.
13To respect Yahweh means to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and dishonest speech.
14I offer advice and sound judgment. I have understanding and strength.
15Through me, kings reign, and rulers make fair laws.
16Through me, princes govern; nobles, and all the righteous leaders of the earth.
17I love those who love me. Those who search for me carefully will find me.
18With me are riches, honor, lasting wealth, and success.
19What I produce is better than gold, even the purest gold; what I yield is better than the finest silver.
20I walk on the path of righteousness, in the middle of the ways of justice;
21So that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their storage places with treasure.”
22"Yahweh created me at the beginning of his work, before his ancient acts.
23I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was made.
24I was born when there were no oceans, when there were no springs overflowing with water.
25Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26while he had not yet made the earth, nor the fields, nor the first dust of the world.
27When he set the heavens in place, I was there; when he drew 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 the sea its boundary, so that the waters would not go beyond his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
30then I was the architect by his side. I was a delight day by day, always celebrating in his presence,
31Celebrating in his whole world. I found joy in the human race.
32"So now, my children, listen to me, for those who follow my ways are fortunate.
33Listen to instruction and be wise. Do not reject it.
34Fortunate is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.
35For whoever finds me, finds life, and will receive favor from Yahweh.
36But whoever sins against me harms themselves. All who hate me love death."