22  mThe Lord npossessed me oin pthe beginning of his way,

Before his works qof old.

23  I was rset up from everlasting, from the beginning,

sOr ever the earth was.

24  When there were no tdepths, I was ubrought forth;

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25  Before the mountains vwere settled,

wBefore the hills was I ubrought forth:

26  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the ||fields,

Nor ||the xhighest part of the dust of the world.

27  When he yprepared the heavens, I was there:

When he zset ||a compass upon the face of the tdepth:

28  When he established the clouds above:

When he strengthened the fountains of the tdeep:

29  aWhen he gave to the sea bhis decree,

That the waters should not pass his commandment:

When he zappointed cthe foundations of the earth:

30  dThen I was by him, as eone brought up with him:

And I was daily his fdelight,

gRejoicing always before him;

31  gRejoicing in hthe habitable part of his earth;

And my fdelights were iwith the sons of men.

32  jNow therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:

For kblessed are they that keep my ways.

33  lHear instruction, and be wise,

And mrefuse it not.

34  nBlessed is the man othat heareth me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35  For whoso nfindeth me oofindeth life,

And shall †obtain favour of the Lord.

36  But he that psinneth against me qwrongeth his own soul:

All they that rhate me slove death.