Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?1 messageOn the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.1 messageBeside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:1 message“To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.1 messageYou simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.1 messageHear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.1 messageFor my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.1 messageAll the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.1 messageThey are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.1 messageReceive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.1 messageFor wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.1 message“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.1 messageThe fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.2 messagesCounsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.1 messageBy me kings reign, and princes decree justice.1 messageBy me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.1 messageI love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.2 messagesWith me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.1 messageMy fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.1 messageI walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;1 messageThat I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.1 message“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.5 messagesI was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.5 messagesWhen there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.5 messagesBefore the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;5 messageswhile as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.5 messagesWhen he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,5 messageswhen he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,5 messageswhen he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;5 messagesthen I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,6 messagesRejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.7 messages“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.2 messagesHear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.2 messagesBlessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.5 messagesFor whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.2 messagesBut he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”2 messages