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1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
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2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
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3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
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4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
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5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
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6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
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7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
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8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
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9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
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10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
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11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
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12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
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13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
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14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
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15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
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16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
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17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
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18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
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19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
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20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
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21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
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23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
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24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
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25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
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26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
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27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
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28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
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30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
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31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
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32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
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33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
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34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
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35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
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36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
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- 1 Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice?
- 2 On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
- 3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
- 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
- 5 “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom.
- 6 “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
- 7 “For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
- 8 “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
- 9 “They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.
- 10 “Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
- 11 “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
- 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.
- 13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
- 14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
- 15 “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
- 16 “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.
- 17 “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.
- 18 “Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness.
- 19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.
- 20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
- 21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
- 22 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
- 23 “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
- 24 “When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.
- 25 “Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth;
- 26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.
- 27 “When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
- 28 When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed,
- 29 When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
- 30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,
- 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.
- 32 “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways.
- 33 “Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it.
- 34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.
- 35 “For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.
- 36 “But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.”
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