An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom
1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
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She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
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She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
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Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
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O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
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Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.(a)
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All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.(b)
9
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
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Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
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For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.(c)
13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
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Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
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By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
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I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
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Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
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My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
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I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:(d)
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That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Anticipation of wisdom
22
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
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I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
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When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
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Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
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While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.(e) (f)
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When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:(g)
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When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
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Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
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Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Call to wisdom
32
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
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Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
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For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord .(h)
36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Footnotes