Chapter 8

Doth not wisdom cry?⁴ and understanding put forth⁴ her voice?

She standeth⁸ in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

She crieth⁴ at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

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

O ye simple, understand⁵⁴ wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding⁵⁴ heart.

Hear;³ for I will speak¹⁷ of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.

For my mouth shall speak⁴ truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward¹² or perverse in them.

They [are] all plain to him that understandeth,⁵⁶ and right to them that find⁶ knowledge.

Receive³ my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice¹² gold.

For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared⁴ to it.

I wisdom dwell¹ with prudence, and find out⁴ knowledge of witty inventions.

The fear of the LORD [is] to hate² evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.¹

Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.

By me kings reign,⁴ and princes⁶ decree²⁵ justice.

By me princes rule,⁴ and nobles, [even] all the judges⁶ of the earth.

I love⁴ them that love⁶ me; and those that seek me early¹⁸ shall find⁴ me.

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

My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice¹² silver.

I lead¹⁷ in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

That I may cause those that love⁶ me to inherit⁵³ substance; and I will fill¹⁷ their treasures.

The LORD possessed¹ me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

I was set up⁸ from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth;⁴⁹ when [there were] no fountains abounding¹² with water.

Before the mountains were settled,⁹⁰ before the hills was I brought forth:⁴⁹

While as yet he had not made¹ the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

When he prepared⁵³ the heavens, I [was] there: when he set² a compass upon the face of the depth:

When he established¹⁵ the clouds above: when he strengthened² the fountains of the deep:

When he gave² to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass⁴ his commandment: when he appointed² the foundations of the earth:

Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily ³¹¹⁷ [his] delight, rejoicing¹⁸ always before him;

Rejoicing¹⁸ in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.

Now therefore hearken³ unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep⁴ my ways.

Hear³ instruction, and be wise,³ and refuse⁴ it not.

Blessed [is] the man that heareth⁶ me, watching² daily ³¹¹⁷ at my gates, waiting² at the posts of my doors.

For whoso findeth⁶ me findeth^{1 4672 6} life, and shall obtain⁵⁵ favour of the LORD.

But he that sinneth⁶ against me wrongeth⁶ his own soul: all they that hate¹⁸ me love¹ death.