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[1] Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding utter her voice?
[2] She standeth in the top of the high places by the way in the place of the paths.
[3] She crieth besides the gates before the city at the entry of the doors,
[4] O men, I call unto you, and utter my voice to the children of men.
[5] O ye foolish men, understand wisdom, and ye, O fools, be wise in heart.
[6] Give ear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips, shall teach things that be right.
[7] For my mouth shall speak the truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.
[8] All the words of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdness, nor frowardness in them.
[9] They are all plain to him that will understand, and straight to them that would find knowledge.
[10] Receive mine instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold.
[11] For wisdom is better than precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared unto her.
[12] I wisdom dwell with prudence, and I find forth knowledge and counsels.
[13] The fear of the Lord is to hate evil as pride, and arrogance, and the evil way: and a mouth that speaketh lewd things, I do hate.
[14] I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength.
[15] By me, kings reign, and princes decree justice.
[16] By me princes rule and the nobles, and all the judges of the earth.
[17] I love them that love me: and they that seek me early, shall find me.
[18] Riches and honor are with me: even durable riches and righteousness.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, even than fine gold, and my revenues better than fine silver.
[20] I cause to walk in the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of judgment,
[21] That I may cause them that love me, to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures.
[22] The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was before his works of old.
[23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning and before the earth.
[24] When there were no depths, was I begotten, when there were no fountains abounding with water.
[25] Before the mountains were settled: and before the hills, was I begotten.
[26] He had not yet made the earth, nor the open places, nor the height of the dust in the world.
[27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there, when he set the compass upon the deep.
[28] When he established the clouds above, when he confirmed the fountains of the deep,
[29] When he gave his decree to the sea, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth,
[30] Then was I with him as a nourisher, and I was daily his delight rejoicing alway before him,
[31] And took my solace in the compass of his earth: and my delight is with the children of men.
[32] Therefore now hearken, O children, unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction, and be ye wise, and refuse it not: blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doors.
[34] For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.
[35] But he that sinneth against me, hurteth his own soul: and all that hate me, love death.
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