Proverbs 8:22–36

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

Before his works ^qof old.

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

^sOr ever the earth was.

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

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

²⁵Before the mountains ^vwere settled,

^wBefore the hills was I ^ubrought forth:

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

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

²⁷When he ^yprepared the heavens, I was there:

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

²⁸When he established the clouds above:

When he strengthened the fountains of the ^tdeep:

^29aWhen he gave to the sea ^bhis decree,

That the waters should not pass his commandment:

When he ^zappointed ^cthe foundations of the earth:

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

And I was daily his ^fdelight,

^gRejoicing always before him;

^31gRejoicing in ^hthe habitable part of his earth;

And my ^fdelights were ⁱwith the sons of men.

^32jNow therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:

For ^kblessed are they that keep my ways.

^33lHear instruction, and be wise,

And ^mrefuse it not.

³⁴ⁿBlessed is the man ^othat heareth me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

³⁵For whoso ⁿfindeth me ^oofindeth life,

And shall ^†obtain favour of the Lord.

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

All they that ^rhate me ^slove death.