Proverbs 8:22–36

²²“The Lord formed me from the beginning,

before he created anything else.

²³I was appointed in ages past,

at the very first, before the earth began.

²⁴I was born before the oceans were created,

before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

²⁵Before the mountains were formed,

before the hills, I was born—

²⁶before he had made the earth and fields

and the first handfuls of soil.

²⁷I was there when he established the heavens,

when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

²⁸I was there when he set the clouds above,

when he established springs deep in the earth.

²⁹I was there when he set the limits of the seas,

so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.

And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

³⁰I was the architect at his side.

I was his constant delight,

rejoicing always in his presence.

³¹And how happy I was with the world he created;

how I rejoiced with the human family!

³²“And so, my children, listen to me,

for all who follow my ways are joyful.

³³Listen to my instruction and be wise.

Don’t ignore it.

³⁴Joyful are those who listen to me,

watching for me daily at my gates,

waiting for me outside my home!

³⁵For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the Lord.

³⁶But those who miss me injure themselves.

All who hate me love death.”