1 Doth not wisedome crie? and vnderstanding vtter her voyce? 2 She standeth in the top of the high places by the way in the place of the paths. 3 She cryeth besides the gates before the citie at the entrie of the doores, 4 O men, I call vnto you, and vtter my voyce to the children of men. 5 O ye foolish men, vnderstand wisedome, and ye, O fooles, be wise in heart. 6 Giue eare, for I will speake of excellent things, and the opening of my lippes, shall teache things that be right. 7 For my mouth shall speake the trueth, and my lippes abhorre wickednesse. 8 All the wordes of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdenes, nor frowardnesse in them. 9 They are all plaine to him that will vnderstande, and streight to them that woulde finde knowledge. 10 Receiue mine instruction, and not siluer, and knowledge rather then fine golde. 11 For wisdome is better then precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared vnto her. 12 I wisdome dwell with prudence, and I find foorth knowledge and counsels. 13 The feare of the Lord is to hate euill as pride, and arrogancie, and the euill way: and a mouth that speaketh lewde things, I doe hate. 14 I haue counsell and wisedome: I am vnderstanding, and I haue strength. 15 By me, Kings reigne, and princes decree iustice. 16 By me princes rule and the nobles, and all the iudges of the earth. 17 I loue them that loue me: and they that seeke me earely, shall finde me. 18 Riches and honour are with me: euen durable riches and righteousnesse. 19 My fruite is better then golde, euen then fine golde, and my reuenues better then fine siluer. 20 I cause to walke in the way of righteousnes, and in the middes of the paths of iudgement, 21 That I may cause them that loue me, to inherite substance, and I will fill their treasures. 22 The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was before his workes of olde. 23 I was set vp from euerlasting, from the beginning and before the earth. 24 When there were no depths, was I begotten, when there were no fountaines abounding with water. 25 Before the mountaines were setled: and before the hilles, was I begotten. 26 He had not yet made the earth, nor the open places, nor the height of the dust in the worlde. 27 When hee prepared the heauens, I was there, when he set the compasse vpon the deepe. 28 When he established the cloudes aboue, when he confirmed the fountaines of the deepe, 29 When he gaue his decree to the Sea, that the waters shoulde not passe his commandement: when he appointed the foundations of the earth, 30 Then was I with him as a nourisher, and I was dayly his delight reioycing alway before him, 31 And tooke my solace in the compasse of his earth: and my delite is with the children of men. 32 Therefore nowe hearken, O children, vnto me: for blessed are they that keepe my wayes. 33 Heare instruction, and be ye wise, and refuse it not: blessed is the man that heareth mee, watching dayly at my gates, and giuing attendance at the postes of my doores. 34 For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shall obteine fauour of the Lord. 35 But he that sinneth against me, hurteth his owne soule: and all that hate me, loue death.
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea , durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.