9 They
are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 aFor wisdom
is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge
and discretion.
13 aThe fear of the
Lord is to hate evil;
bPride and arrogance and the evil way
And
cthe perverse mouth I hate.
14 Counsel
is mine, and sound wisdom;
I
am understanding,
aI have strength.
15 aBy me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of
1 the earth.
17 aI love those who love me,
And
bthose who seek me diligently will find me.
18 aRiches and honor
are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit
is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
20 I
1 traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.
22 “The
a Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 aI have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When
there were no depths I was brought forth,
When
there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 aBefore the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
