8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
8:2 She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the
places of the paths.
8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the
entrance of the doors.
8:4 To you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.
8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an
understanding heart.
8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening
of my lips [shall be] right things.
8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an
abomination to my lips.
8:8 All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is]
nothing froward or perverse in them.
8:9 They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to
them that find knowledge.
8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge
rather than choice gold.
8:11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that
may be desired are not to be compared to it.
8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of
ingenious inventions.
8:13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and
arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding;
I have strength.
8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of
the earth.
8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early
shall find me.
8:18 Riches and honor [are] with me; durable riches and
righteousness.
8:19 My fruit [is] better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my
revenue than choice silver.
8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the
paths of judgment.
8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures.
8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before
his works of old.
8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever
the earth was.
8:24 When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth; when
[there were] no fountains abounding with water.
8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I
brought forth.
8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor
the highest part of the dust of the world.
8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a
compass upon the face of the depth:
8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep:
8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should
not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of
the earth:
8:30 Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I
was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;
8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my
delights [were] with the sons of men.
8:32 Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed
[are they that] keep my ways.
8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
8:34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
8:35 For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor
from the LORD.
8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all
they that hate me love death.
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