1Does not Wisdom call out?
Does not Understanding raise her voice?

2On the hilltops beside the road,
at the crossroads, Wisdom has taken her stand.

3Before the gates at the entrance into the city,
at the entrances into the city, she calls out.

4“It is to you, people, that I call;
my voice is for the sons of mankind.

5You who are naive, learn wisdom;
and you who are foolish, you must get an understanding mind.

6Listen, because I will speak of noble things,
and when my lips open I will say upright things.

7For my mouth speaks what is trustworthy,
and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.

8All the words of my mouth are just;
in them is nothing twisted or misleading.

9All of them are straight for the person who understands;
my words are upright for those who find knowledge.

10Acquire my instruction rather than silver;
acquire knowledge rather than pure gold.

11For Wisdom is better than jewels;
no treasure is equal to her.

12I, Wisdom, live with Prudence,
and I possess knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
I hate pride and arrogance, the evil way,
and perverted speech. I hate them.

14I have good advice and sound wisdom;
I am insight; strength belongs to me.

15By me kings reign, and rulers make laws that are just.

16By me princes rule,
nobles, and all who govern with justice.

17I love those who love me,
and those who diligently seek me, find me.

18With me are riches and honor,
lasting wealth and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
my produce is better than pure silver.

20I walk in the path of righteousness,
in the midst of the paths of justice.

21As a result, I make those who love me inherit wealth;
I fill up their treasuries.

22Yahweh created me at the beginning,
the first of his deeds then.

23In ages long ago I was made—from the first,
from the beginnings of the earth.

24Before there were oceans, I was given birth—
before there were springs abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled
and before the hills, I was born.

26I was born before Yahweh had made the earth or the fields,
or even the first dust in the world.

27I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep.

28I was there when he established the clouds above and
when the springs in the deep became fixed.

29I was there when he made his limit for the sea,
so the waters should not spread beyond his command,
and when there was set the limit for the foundations of the dry land.

30I was beside him, as a skilled craftsman;
I was his delight day after day,
always rejoicing before him.

31I was rejoicing in his whole world,
and my delight was in the sons of mankind.

32Now, my sons, listen to me,
for those who keep my ways will be blessed.

33Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not neglect it.

34The one who listens to me will be blessed.
He will be watching every day at my doors,
waiting beside the posts of my doors.

35For whoever finds me, finds life,
and he will find the favor of Yahweh.

36But he who fails, harms his own life;
all who hate me love death.”