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

I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

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

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he drew a circle upon the face of the depth:

Then I was by him, like a master workman: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

They have stricken me, you shall say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and weeds had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down.