Study Desk

Does not wisdom call out?^(a) Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:^(b)

"To you, O people, I call out;^(c) I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple,^(d) gain prudence;^(e) you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,^(f) for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,^(g)

for wisdom is more precious^(h) than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.⁽ⁱ⁾

"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.^(j)

To fear the Lord ^(k) is to hate evil;^(l) I hate^(m) pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.⁽ⁿ⁾

By me kings reign and rulers^(o) issue decrees that are just;

by me princes govern,^(p) and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[b]

I love those who love me,^(q) and those who seek me find me.^(r)

With me are riches and honor,^(s) enduring wealth and prosperity.^(t)

My fruit is better than fine gold;^(u) what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(v)

I walk in the way of righteousness,^(w) along the paths of justice,

bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.^(x)

"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[c][d] before his deeds of old;

I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;^(y)

before the mountains were settled in place,^(z) before the hills, I was given birth,^(aa)

before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.^(ab)

I was there when he set the heavens in place,^(ac) when he marked out the horizon^(ad) on the face of the deep,

when he established the clouds above^(ae) and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,^(af)

when he gave the sea its boundary^(ag) so the waters would not overstep his command,^(ah) and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.^(ai)

Then I was constantly^[e] at his side.^(aj) I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.^(ak)

"Now then, my children, listen^(al) to me; blessed are^(am) those who keep my ways.^(an)

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Blessed are those who listen^(ao) to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

For those who find me^(ap) find life^(aq) and receive favor from the Lord .^(ar)

But those who fail to find me harm themselves;^(as) all who hate me love death."^(at)