When I was a son with my father (David),
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),

In the twilight, in the evening;
In the black and dark night.

“From everlasting I was established and ordained,
From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].

“When there were no ocean depths I was born,
When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.

“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;

“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;
When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,

Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight;
Rejoicing before Him always,

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.

“They struck me, but I was not hurt!
They beat me, but I did not feel it!
When will I wake up?
I will seek more wine.”

And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns,
And nettles were covering its surface,
And its stone wall was broken down.

So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?”