The Commendation of Wisdom

1 Does not awisdom call,

And understanding 1lift up her voice?

2 On top of athe heights beside the way,

Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 Beside the agates, at the opening to the city,

At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

4 “To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 “O 1anaive ones, understand prudence;

And, O bfools, understand 2wisdom.

6 “Listen, for I will speak anoble things;

And the opening of my lips will reveal bright things.

7 “For my amouth will utter truth;

And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;

There is nothing acrooked or perverted in them.

9 “They are all astraightforward to him who understands,

And right to those who bfind knowledge.

10 “Take my ainstruction and not silver,

And knowledge rather than choicest gold.

11 “For wisdom is abetter than 1jewels;

And ball desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, adwell with prudence,

And I find bknowledge and discretion.

13 “The afear of the Lord is to hate evil;

bPride and arrogance and cthe evil way

And the dperverted mouth, I hate.

14 “aCounsel is mine and bsound wisdom;

I am understanding, cpower is mine.