08:001

Doth not wisdom call, and understanding put forth her voice

08:002

In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth

08:003

Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud

08:004

'Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men

08:005

O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart

08:006

Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things

08:007

For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips

08:008

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing perverse or crooked in them

08:009

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge

08:010

Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold

08:011

For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things desirable are not to be compared unto her

08:012

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of devices

08:013

The fear of HaShem is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate

08:014

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine

08:015

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice

08:016

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth

08:017

I love them that love me, and those that seek me earnestly shall find me

08:018

Riches and honour are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness

08:019

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my produce than choice silver

08:020

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice

08:021

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries

08:022

HaShem made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old

08:023

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was

08:024

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water

08:025

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

08:026

While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world

08:027

When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep

08:028

When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might

08:029

When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth

08:030

Then I was by Him, as a nursling; and I was daily all delight, playing always before Him

08:031

Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with the sons of men

08:032

Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways

08:033

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not

08:034

Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors

08:035

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of HaShem

08:036

But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.