1Behold, wisdom calleth, and understanding sendeth forth her voice,

2On the top of high places, by the wayside, at the house where there are [many] paths doth she place herself.

3Alongside of gates, at the opening of the city, at the entrance of the town[-doors] doth she call loudly,

4Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice [goeth forth] to the sons of men,

5Learn, O ye simple, to understand prudence: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6Hear! for of noble things will I speak; and the opening of my lips shall be of what is equitable.

7For truth uttereth my palate ever, and the abomination of my lips is wickedness.

8In righteousness are all the sayings of my mouth, there is in them nothing crooked or perverse.

9They are all evident to the man of understanding, and correct to those that have obtained knowledge.

10Accept my correction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than pearls; and all the things that men wish for are not equal to her.

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and the knowledge of discreet thoughts do I discover.

13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance, and the evil way: and the mouth of perverseness do I hate.

14Mine are counsel and sound wisdom: I am understanding; mine is might.

15Through me do kings reign, and chieftains give decrees [in] righteousness.

16Through me do princes rule, and the nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17I indeed love those that love me: and those that seek me earnestly shall find me.

18Riches and honor are with me, yea, enduring wealth and righteousness.

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

20On the road of righteousness do I walk firmly, in the midst the paths of justice:

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit a lasting possession; and their treasures will I fill

22The Lord created me as the beginning of his way, the first of his works from the commencement,

23From eternity was I appointed chief, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

24When there were yet no depths, was I brought forth; when there were yet no springs laden heavily with water.

25Before the mountains were yet sunk down, before the hills was I brought forth:

26While as yet he had not made the land and open fields, nor the chief of the dust of the world.

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle over the face of the deep;

28When he fastened the skies above; when the springs of the deep became strong;

29When he assigned to the sea his decree, that the waters should not transgress his order: when he established firmly the foundations of the earth:

30Then was I near him, as a nursling: and I was day by day [his] delights, playing before him at all times;

31Playing in the world, his earth; and having my delights with the sons of men.

32And now, O children [of men], hearken unto me! for happy those that observe my ways.

33Hear correction, and be wise, and reject it not.

34Happy is the man that hearkeneth unto me, watching day by day at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For he who findeth me findeth life, and he obtaineth favor from the Lord.

36But he that sinneth against me doth violence to his own soul: all those that hate me love death.