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[1] Thou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee.
[2] For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.
[3] For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying,
[4] You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.
[5] O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.
[6] Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayings from my lips.
[7] For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me.
[8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse.
[9] They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge.
[10] Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.
[11] For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
[12] I wisdom have dwelt with counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.
[13] The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.
[14] Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine.
[15] By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
[16] By me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.
[17] I love those that love me; and they that seek me shall find me.
[18] Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.
[19] It is better to have my fruit than to have gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.
[20] I walk in ways of righteousness, and am conversant with the paths of judgment;
[21] that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things. If I declare to you the things that daily happen, I will remember also to recount the things of old.
[22] The Lord made me the beginning of his ways for his works.
[23] He established me before time was in the beginning, before he made the earth:
[24] even before he made the depths; before the fountains of water came forth:
[25] before the mountains were settled, and before all hills, he begets me.
[26] The Lord made countries and uninhabited tracks, and the highest inhabited parts of the world.
[27] When he prepared the heaven, I was present with him; and when he prepared his throne upon the winds:
[28] and when he strengthened the clouds above; and when he secured the fountains of the earth:
[29] and when he strengthened the foundations of the earth:
[30] I was by him, suiting myself to him, I was that wherein he took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presence continually.
[31] For he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.
[32] Now then, my son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;
[33] [No verse.]
[34] watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.
[35] For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord.
[36] But they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.
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