Proverbs 8:22–36

²²“The Lord created me as the first of his works,

before his acts of long ago.

²³I was formed at the very beginning.

I was formed before the world began.

²⁴Before there were any oceans, I was born.

There weren’t any springs of water at that time.

²⁵Before the mountains were settled in place, I was born.

Before there were any hills, I was born.

²⁶It happened before the Lord made the earth and its fields.

It was before he made the dust of the world.

²⁷I was there when he set the heavens in place.

When he marked out the place where the sky meets the sea, I was there.

²⁸That was when he put the clouds above.

It was when he fixed the ocean springs in place.

²⁹It was when he set limits for the sea

so that the waters had to obey his command.

When he marked out the foundations of the earth, I was there.

³⁰I was the skilled worker at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day.

I was always happy to be with him.

³¹His whole world filled me with joy.

I took delight in all human beings.

³²“My children, listen to me.

Blessed are those who keep my ways.

³³Listen to my teaching and be wise.

Don’t turn away from it.

³⁴Blessed is the one who listens to me.

He watches every day at my doors.

He waits beside my doorway.

³⁵Those who find me find life.

They receive favor from the Lord.

³⁶But those who don’t find me harm only themselves.

Everyone who hates me loves death.”