8Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!H2451H7121H8394H5414H69632On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.H5324H7218H4791H1870H1004H54103By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,H7442H3027H8179H6310H7176H3996H66074“I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.H376H7121H6963H1121H1205You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.H6612H995H6195H3684H995H38206Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,H8085H1696H5057H4669H8193H43397for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.H2441H1897H571H7562H8441H81938My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.H561H6310H6664H6617H61419My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.H5228H995H3477H4672H184710Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.H3947H4148H3701H1847H977H274211For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.H2451H2896H6443H2656H773712“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.H2451H7931H6195H4672H1847H420913All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.H3374H3068H8130H7451H1344H1347H7451H1870H8419H6310H813014Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.H6098H8454H998H136915Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.H4428H4427H7336H2710H666416Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.H8269H8323H5081H8199H77617“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.H157H157H7836H467218I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.H6239H3519H6276H1952H666619My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!H6529H2896H2742H6337H8393H977H370120I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.H1980H734H6666H8432H5410H494121Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.H157H5157H3426H4390H21422“The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.H3068H7069H7225H1870H6924H465923I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.H5258H5769H7218H6924H77624I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.H8415H2342H4599H3513H432525Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born—H2022H2883H6440H1389H234226before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.H6213H776H2351H7218H6083H839827I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.H3559H8064H2710H2329H6440H841528I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.H553H7834H4605H5810H5869H841529I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,H7760H3220H2706H4325H5674H6310H2710H4144H77630I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.H681H525H3117H3117H8191H7832H6256H644031And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!H7832H8398H776H8191H1121H12032“And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.H8085H1121H835H8104H187033Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.H8085H4148H2449H654434Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!H835H120H8085H8245H3117H3117H1817H8104H4201H660735For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.H4672H4672H4672H2416H6329H7522H306836But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”H2398H2554H5315H8130H157H4194
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, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.H8085
