Proverbs 8:22–36

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁹When 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;

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

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

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

³³Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

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

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

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