For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

I was anointed from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth ever was.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs heavy with water.

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth.

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

even I was a workman at His side; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him;

rejoicing in the world, His earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.

saying, They struck me; I was not sick; they beat me, but I did not know it. When I awaken, I will add more. I will seek it again.

and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down.