The Excellence of Wisdom
1Doth not wisdomcry?and understandingput forthher voice?
2She standethin the topof high places,by the wayin the placesof the paths.
3She criethatthe gates,at the entryof the city,at the comingin at the doors.
4Unto you, O men,I call;and my voice[is] to the sonsof man.
5O ye simple,understandwisdom:and, ye fools,be ye of an understandingheart.
6Hear;for I will speakof excellent things;and the openingof my lips[shall be] right things.
7For my mouthshall speaktruth;and wickedness[is] an abominationto my lips.
8All the wordsof my mouth[are] in righteousness;[there is] nothing frowardor perversein them.
9They [are] all plainto him that understandeth,and rightto them that findknowledge.
10Receivemy instruction,and not silver;and knowledgerather than choicegold.
11For wisdom[is] betterthan rubies;and all the things that may be desiredare not to be comparedto it.
12I wisdomdwellwith prudence,and find outknowledgeof witty inventions.
13The fearof the LORD[is] to hateevil:pride,and arrogancy,and the evilway,and the frowardmouth,do I hate.
14Counsel[is] mine, and sound wisdom:I [am] understanding;I have strength.
15By me kingsreign,and princesdecreejustice.
16By me princesrule,and nobles,[even] all the judgesof the earth.
17I lovethem that loveme; and those that seek me earlyshall findme.
18Richesand honour[are] with me; [yea], durablerichesand righteousness.
19My fruit[is] betterthan gold,yea, than fine gold;and my revenuethan choicesilver.
20I leadin the wayof righteousness,in the midstof the pathsof judgment:
21That I may cause those that loveme to inheritsubstance;and I will filltheir treasures.
22The LORDpossessedme in the beginningof his way,beforehis worksof old.
23I was set upfrom everlasting,from the beginning,or everthe earthwas.
24When [there were] no depths,I was brought forth;when [there were] no fountainsaboundingwith water.
25Before the mountainswere settled,beforethe hillswas I brought forth:
26While as yet he had not madethe earth,nor the fields,nor the highest partof the dustof the world.
27When he preparedthe heavens,I [was] there: when he seta compassupon the faceof the depth:
28When he establishedthe cloudsabove:when he strengthenedthe fountainsof the deep:
29When he gaveto the seahis decree,that the watersshould not passhis commandment:when he appointedthe foundationsof the earth:
30Then I was by him,[as] one brought up[with him]: and I was daily[his] delight,rejoicingalwaysbeforehim;
31Rejoicingin the habitable partof his earth;and my delights[were] with the sonsof men.
32Now therefore hearkenunto me, O ye children:for blessed[are they that] keepmy ways.
33Hearinstruction,and be wise,and refuseit not.
34Blessed[is] the manthat hearethme, watchingdailyat my gates,waitingat the postsof my doors.
35For whoso findethme findeth{08675;04672:08802} life,and shall obtainfavourof the LORD.
36But he that sinnethagainst me wrongethhis own soul:all they that hateme lovedeath.
