Proverbs

 2 On the heights+ along the road,

It takes its position at the crossroads.

 3 Next to the gates leading into the city,

At the entrances of the doorways,

It keeps crying out loudly:+

 4 “To you, O people, I am calling;

I raise my voice to everyone.*

 5 You inexperienced ones, learn shrewdness;+

You stupid ones, acquire an understanding heart.*

 6 Listen, for what I say is important,

My lips speak what is right;

 7 For my mouth softly utters truth,

And my lips detest what is wicked.

 9 They are all straightforward to the discerning

And right to those who have found knowledge.

10 Take my discipline instead of silver,

And knowledge rather than the finest gold,+

11 For wisdom is better than corals;*

All other desirable things cannot compare to it.

12 I, wisdom, dwell together with shrewdness;

I have found knowledge and thinking ability.+

14 I possess good advice and practical wisdom;+

Understanding+ and power+ are mine.

15 By me kings keep reigning,

And high officials decree righteousness.+

16 By me princes keep ruling,

And nobles judge in righteousness.

17 I love those loving me,

And those seeking me will find me.+

18 Riches and glory are with me,

Lasting wealth* and righteousness.

19 My fruitage is better than gold, even refined gold,

And what I produce is better than the finest silver.+

20 I walk in the path of righteousness,

In the middle of the pathways of justice;

21 I give a rich inheritance to those who love me,

And I fill up their storehouses.

22 Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way,+

The earliest of his achievements of long ago.+

23 From ancient times* I was installed,+

From the start, from times earlier than the earth.+

24 When there were no deep waters,+ I was brought forth,*

When there were no springs overflowing with water.

25 Before the mountains were set in place,

Before the hills, I was brought forth,

26 When he had not yet made the earth and its fields

Or the first clods of earth’s soil.

27 When he prepared the heavens,+ I was there;

When he marked out the horizon* on the surface of the waters,+

28 When he established* the clouds above,

When he founded the fountains of the deep,

29 When he set a decree for the sea

That its waters should not pass beyond his order,+

When he established* the foundations of the earth,

30 Then I was beside him as a master worker.+

I was the one he was especially fond of+ day by day;

I rejoiced before him all the time;+

31 I rejoiced over his habitable earth,

And I was especially fond of the sons of men.*

32 And now, my sons, listen to me;

Yes, happy are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to discipline+ and become wise,

And never neglect it.

34 Happy is the man who listens to me

By coming early to* my doors day by day,

By waiting next to my doorposts;

35 For the one finding me will find life,+

And he receives approval from Jehovah.

36 But the one who ignores me harms himself,*

And those who hate me love death.”+