1 THEREFORE preach wisdom, and understanding will answer you.

2 For wisdom is on the top of high places, she stands between the ways and by the paths.

3 She cries at the gates, at the entrance of the city; she cries aloud, saying,

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

5 So that the simple ones may understand prudence and the fools understand in their heart.

6 Hear, for I will speak truth; and the opening of my mouth shall bring forth uprightness.

7 For my mouth shall speak truth, and lying lips are an abomination before me.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing perverse or deceptive in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands them, and right to those who are willing to find knowledge.

10 Receive discipline and not silver; and choose for yourself knowledge rather than fine gold.

11 For wisdom is much better than fine gold; yea, she is better than precious stones, and nothing can be compared to her.

12 I wisdom have created prudence, and I posses knowledge and reason.

13 Reverence of the LORD despises evil; pride, arrogance, evil ways, and perverse speech do I hate.

14 counsel and sound doctrine are mine; mine is understanding and might.

15 By me kings reign and princes decree justice.

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

17 I love those who love me; and those who seek me shall find me.

18 Riches and honor are mine; yea, enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold, and my ingathering than choice silver.

20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,

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

22 The LORD created me as the first of his creations, before all of his works.

23 I was established from everlasting, from the beginning, before he made the earth.

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

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills were formed was I conceived;

26 While as yet he had not made the earth nor the valleys nor the best soil of the world.

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

28 When he made firm the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep;

29 When he gave to the sea its bounds, that the waters should not transgress his commandment; when he laid down the foundations of the earth:

30 I together with him was establishing them; and daily I was his delight, rejoicing always before him,

31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore hearken to me, O you children; for blessed is he who keeps my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise and do not go astray.

34 Blessed is the man who heeds me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my threshold.

35 For my objectives are the issues of life, they proclaim the will of the LORD.

36 Those who sin against me wrong their own soul; all those who hate me love death.