WISDOM’S APPEAL

8 Doesn’t wisdomb call out?

Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?

2 At the heights overlooking the road,

at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

3 Beside the gatesc leading into the city,

at the main entrance, she cries out:

4 “People, I call out to you;

my cry is to the children of Adam.

5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;

develop common sense, you who are foolish.

6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,

and what my lips say is right.

7 For my mouth tells the truth,d

and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

8 All the words from my mouth are righteous;

none of them are deceptive or perverse.e

9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,f

and right to those who discover knowledge.

10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than pure gold.g

11 For wisdom is better than jewels,h

and nothing desirable can equal it.i

12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness

and have knowledge and discretion.j

13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.k

I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,

and perverse speech.

14 I possess good advice and sound wisdom;A

I have understanding and strength.l

15 It is by me that kings reignm

and rulers enact just law;

16 by me, princes lead,

as do nobles and all righteous judges.B

17 I love those who love me,n

and those who search for me find me.o

18 With me are riches and honor,p

lasting wealth and righteousness.q

19 My fruit is better than solid gold,

and my harvest than pure silver.r

20 I walk in the ways of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.