An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom
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Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
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On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.
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Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:
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“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
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O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.(a)
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Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
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For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
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All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.
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They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.
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Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
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For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
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I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
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To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
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Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
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By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
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By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.(b)
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I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
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With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
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My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
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I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
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bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
Anticipation of wisdom
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The LORD created me as His first course,(c) before His works of old.
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From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
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When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.
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Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
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before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
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I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
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when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,
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when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.
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Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight (d) day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.
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I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.
Call to wisdom
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Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
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Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
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Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
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For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
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But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
Footnotes