Wisdom Calls for an Audience

1Isn’t wisdom calling out;

isn’t understanding raising her voice?

2On top of the highest places along the road

she stands where the roads meet.

3Beside the gates, at the city entrance—

at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:

4“I’m calling to you, men!

What I have to say pertainsa to all mankind!

5Understand prudence, you naïve people;

and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.

6Listen, because I have noble things to say,

and what I have to sayb will reveal what is right.

7For my mouth speaks the truth—

wickedness is detestable to me.

8Everything I have to say is just;

there isn’t anything corrupt or perverse in my speech.c

9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands,

and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.

10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money

and knowledge instead of the finest gold,

11because wisdom is better than precious gemsd

and nothing you desire can compare to it.”

The Way of Wisdom

12“I, wisdom, am related toe prudence.

I know how to be discreet.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.

Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,

and perverted speech I despise.

14Counsel belongs to me,

along with sound judgment.

I am understanding.

Power belongs to me.

15Kings reign by me,

and rulers dispense justice through me.

16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials

and all who govern justly.f

17I love those who love me,

and those who seek me will find me.

18Wealth and honor accompany me,

as do enduring wealth and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold,

betterg than even refined gold,

and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.

20I walk on the way of righteousness,

along paths that are just,

21I bequeath wealth to those who love me,

and I will fill their treasuries.”

The Agelessness of Wisdom

22“The LORD made me as he began his planning,h

before his ancient activity commenced.

23From eternity I was appointed,

from the beginning,

from before there was land.

24When there were no ocean depths,

I brought themi to birth

at a time when there were no springs.

25Before the mountains were shaped,

before there were hills,

I was bringing themj to birth.

26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields,

nor the world’s first grains of dust,

27when he crafted the heavens,

I was there—

when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep,

28when he made the clouds from above,

when the springs of the depths were established,

29when he set a boundary for the sea

so the waters would not exceed his limits,k

when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30Then I was with him, his master craftsman—

I was his delightl daily,

continuously rejoicing in his presence,

31rejoicing in his inhabitable world

and taking delight in mankind.”

The Exhortation of Wisdom

32“So listen to me, children!

Blessed are those who obey me.

33Listen to instruction and be wise.

Don’t ignore it.

34Blessed is the person who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting at my doorways—

35because those who find me find life

and gain favor from the LORD.

36But whoever sins against me destroys himself;

everyone who hates me loves death.”