Wisdom's Excellence

1Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance at the doors.

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

5O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and from the opening of my lips shall come 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 crooked or perverse in them.

9They are all plain to him that understands, 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 and discretion.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse 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 honor 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 justice:

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit wealth; and I will fill their treasuries.

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before 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 first of the dust of the world.

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he drew a circle 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 command: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30Then I was by him, like a master workman: 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 you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whosoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.

36But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.