(KJV) Proverbs 8¹

⥃The Excellence of Wisdom

[1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?² [2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. [3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.³ [4] Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.⁴ [5] O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.⁵ [6] Hear; for⁶ I will speak of excellent things; and the opening⁷ of my lips [shall be] right things. [7] For my mouth⁸ shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to⁹ my lips. [8] All¹⁰ the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there¹¹ is] nothing froward¹² or perverse in them. [9] They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.¹³ [10] Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.¹⁴ [11] For wisdom¹⁵ [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. [12] I wisdom¹⁶ dwell with prudence¹⁷, and find out knowledge¹⁸ of witty inventions. [13] The fear¹⁹ of the Lord [is] to hate evil: pride²⁰, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward²¹ mouth, do I hate. [14] Counsel²² [is] mine, and sound²³ wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have²⁴ strength. [15] By²⁵ me kings reign, and princes decree²⁶ justice. [16] By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth. [17] I love²⁷ them that love me; and those²⁸ that seek me early shall find me. [18] Riches and honour²⁹ [are] with me; [yea], durable³⁰ riches and righteousness³¹. [19] My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.³² [20] I lead³³ in the³⁴ way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit³⁵ substance; and I will fill³⁶ their treasures. [22] The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.³⁷ [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.³⁸ [24] When [there were] no depths, I was³⁹ brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:⁴⁰ [26] While as yet⁴¹ he had not made the earth, nor the fields⁴², nor the highest part⁴³ of the dust of the world. [27] When he prepared⁴⁴ the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass⁴⁵ upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: [29] When he gave⁴⁶ to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed⁴⁷ the foundations of the earth: [30] Then I was by him, [as] one⁴⁸ brought up [with him]: and I was daily⁴⁹ [his] delight, rejoicing always before him; [31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my⁵⁰ delights [were] with the sons of men. [32] Now therefor⁵¹e hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways. [33] Hear⁵² instruction, and be wise, and refuse⁵³ it not. [34] Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching⁵⁴ daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. [35] For whoso⁵⁵ findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain⁵⁶ favour⁵⁷ of the Lord. [36] But he⁵⁸ that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all⁵⁹ they that hate me love death.