8:1  Does not wisdom call? And does not understanding put forth her voice?

8:2  She stands in the top of high places, by the place where the paths meet.

8:3  She cries in the gates, at the entrance of the city, at the doors:

8:4  "To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.

8:5  O you simple ones, understand wisdom; and, you fools, be 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 twisted or perverse in them.

8:9  They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who 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 and discretion.

8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

8:14  Counsel and sound wisdom are mine; I am understanding; I have strength.

8:15  By me kings reign and princes decree justice.

8:16  Princes rule by me, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth.

8:17  I love those who love me; and those who seek me early shall find me.

8:18  Riches and honor are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness.

8:19  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and what I give is better than choice silver.

8:20  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,

8:21  That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.

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, before the earth ever 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, I was brought forth.

8:26  Before He had made the earth, or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world,

8:27  When He prepared the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep;

8:28  When He established the clouds above, when He established the fountains of the deep,

8:29  When He gave to the sea its limit that the waters should not pass His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth,

8:30  Even I was with Him as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,

8:31  Rejoicing in the habitable world, His earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.

8:32  And now therefore hearken unto me, O you children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33  Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.

8:34  Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors,

8:35  For whoever finds me finds life and shall obtain favor from the LORD.

8:36  But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death."