Proverbs 8:1–21

¹Does not wisdom call,

does not understanding raise her voice?

²On the heights beside the way,

in the paths she takes her stand;

³beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

⁴“To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the sons of men.

⁵O simple ones, learn prudence;

O foolish men, pay attention.

⁶Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is right;

⁷for my mouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

⁸All the words of my mouth are righteous;

there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

⁹They are all straight to him who understands

and right to those who find knowledge.

¹⁰Take my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold;

¹¹for wisdom is better than jewels,

and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹²I, wisdom, dwell in prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

¹³The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

¹⁴I have counsel and sound wisdom,

I have insight, I have strength.

¹⁵By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

¹⁶by me princes rule,

and nobles govern the earth.

¹⁷I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

¹⁸Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and prosperity.

¹⁹My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

²¹endowing with wealth those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.