6 Listen, for I will speak of ^aexcellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things; ‡

7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

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 of¹ 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 I¹ 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. ‡