Proverbs 8

MSTC^{(i) 1} Doth not wisdom cry? Doth not understanding put forth her voice? ² Standeth she not in the high places in the streets and ways? ³ Doth she not cry before the whole city, and in the gates where men go out and in? ⁴ "It is you, O ye men," sayeth she, "whom I call! Unto you, O ye children of men, lift I up my voice. ⁵ Take heed unto knowledge, O ye ignorant; be wise in heart, O ye fools. ⁶ Give ear, for I will speak of great matters, and open my lips to tell things that be right. ⁷ For my throat shall be talking of the truth, and my lips abhor ungodliness. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous, there is no frowardness nor falsity therein. ⁹ They are all plain to such as will understand, and right to them that find knowledge. ¹⁰ Receive my doctrine therefore, and not silver: and my knowledge, more than fine gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is more worth than precious stones; yea, all the things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared unto it. ¹² "I, wisdom, have my dwelling with knowledge, and prudent counsel is mine own. ¹³ With me is the fear of the LORD, and the eschewing of evil. As for pride, disdain, and evil way, and a mouth that speaketh wicked things, I utterly abhor them. ¹⁴ I can give counsel, and be a guide: I have understanding, I have strength. ¹⁵ Through me, kings reign: through me, princes make just laws. ¹⁶ Through me, lords bear rule, and all judges of the earth execute judgment. ¹⁷ I am loving unto those that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me. ¹⁸ Riches and honour are with me; yea, excellent goods and righteousness. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, and precious stones, and mine increase more worth than fine silver. ²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness, and in the street of judgment: ²¹ That I may send prosperity to those that love me, and to increase their treasure. ²² "The LORD himself had me in possession in the beginning of his ways, before he began his works afore time. ²³ I have been ordained from everlasting, and from the beginning before the earth was made. ²⁴ When I was born, there were neither depths nor springs of water. ²⁵ Before the foundations of the mountains were laid, yea before all hills was I born. ²⁶ The earth and all that is upon the earth was not yet made, no not the ground itself. ²⁷ For when he made the heavens, I was present; when he set up the depths in order; ²⁸ when he hanged the clouds above; when he fastened the springs of the deep; ²⁹ When he shut the sea within certain bounds, that the waters should not go over their marks. When he laid the foundations of the earth, ³⁰ I was with him, ordering all things, delighting daily, and rejoicing always before him. ³¹ As for the round compass of his world, I make it joyful: for my delight is to be among the children of men. ³² "Therefore hearken unto me, O ye children, for blessed are they that keep my ways. ³³ O give ear unto nurture, be wise, and refuse it not. ³⁴ Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doors. ³⁵ For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. ³⁶ But whoso offendeth against me, hurteth his own soul. All they that hate me, are the lovers of death."