Proverbs (Sentences), 8

[1] Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice? •

[2] Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths,

[3] Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying: •

[4] O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

[5] O little ones understand subtlety, and ye unwise, take notice. •

[6] Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.

[7] My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.

[8] All my words are just, there is nothing wicked, nor perverse in them.

[9] They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.

[10] Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold. •

[11] For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.

[12] I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts. •

[13] The fear of the Lord hateth evil; I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.

[14] Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.

[15] By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things. •

[16] By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.

[17] I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.

[18] With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice. •

[19] For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver. •

[20] I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment, •

[21] That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures. •

[22] The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. •

[23] I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. •

[24] The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out. •

[25] The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before the hills, I was brought forth:

[26] He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. •

[27] When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths: •

[28] When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: •

[29] When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the earth; •

[30] I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; •

[31] Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men. •

[32] Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways.

[33] Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. •

[34] Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. •

[35] He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord. •

[36] But he that shall sin against me shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death. •