All of them are plain to the intelligent, And upright to those finding knowledge.

Jehovah possessed me -- the beginning of His way, Before His works since then.

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.

For better is wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.

I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out.

By me do chiefs rule, and nobles, All judges of the earth.

Mine is counsel and substance, I am understanding, I have might.

By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,

Wealth and honour are with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.

In a path of righteousness I cause to walk, In midst of paths of judgment,

Better is my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.

From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth.

In His preparing the heavens I am there, In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,

In there being no depths, I was brought forth, In there being no fountains heavy with waters,

Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips is uprightness.

In righteousness are all the sayings of my mouth, Nothing in them is froward and perverse.

To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill.

Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,

For truth doth my mouth utter, And an abomination to my lips is wickedness.

At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,

Then I am near Him, a workman, And I am a delight -- day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,

While He had not made the earth, and out-places, And the top of the dusts of the world.

At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud,

Before mountains were sunk, Before heights, I was brought forth.

Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is unto the sons of men.

In His setting for the sea its limit, And the waters transgress not His command, In His decreeing the foundations of earth,

In His strengthening clouds above, In His making strong fountains of the deep,

Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, And my delights are with the sons of men.

The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, And a froward mouth, I have hated.

Doth not wisdom call? And understanding give forth her voice?

O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance.

I love those loving me, And those seeking me earnestly do find me.

And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways.

And whoso is missing me, is wronging his soul, All hating me have loved death!

For whoso is finding me, hath found life, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not.