22 “The lLord possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old.

23 mI have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 nBefore the mountains were settled,

Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the 5fields,

Or the 6primal dust of the world.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,

When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 When He established the clouds above,

When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29 oWhen He assigned to the sea its limit,

So that the waters would not transgress His command,

When pHe marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 qThen I was beside Him as 7a master craftsman;

rAnd I was daily His delight,

Rejoicing always before Him,

31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,

And smy delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,

For tblessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise,

And do not disdain it.

34 uBlessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life,

And vobtains favor from the Lord;

36 But he who sins against me wwrongs his own soul;

All those who hate me love death.”