Will not wisdom call out, and understanding give its voice?

On the heights, by the way, at the crossroads, she stands.

Beside the gates, at the entrance of the city, at the opening of the doors, she cries out.

To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of Adam.

Understand, you simple ones, shrewdness, and you fools, understand heart.

Listen, for I will speak of important matters, and the opening of my lips is of uprightness.

For my throat will declare truth, and wickedness is an abomination of my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

They are all plain to the one who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than chosen gold.

For wisdom is better than pearls, and all desires are not equal to it.

I, wisdom, have dwelt with shrewdness, and I find knowledge of plans.

The fear of יהוה is hatred of evil; pride and arrogance and the way of evil and the mouth of perverseness I hate.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I am understanding; strength is mine.

By me kings will reign, and rulers will decree justice.

By me princes will lead, and nobles, all judges of righteousness.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, and than fine gold, and my produce than chosen silver.

In the path of righteousness I walk, in the midst of the ways of justice.

To cause my lovers to inherit existence, and I will fill their treasuries.

יהוה possessed me at the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

From eternity I was poured out, from the beginning, from before the earth.

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

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

Before he had made the earth and the fields and the first of the dust of the world.

When he prepared the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep.

When he made strong the skies from above, when he made firm the springs of the deep.

When he set for the sea its boundary, and the waters would not pass his command; when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

And I was beside him, a master craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him at all times.

Playing in his inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of Adam.

And now, sons, listen to me, and blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to instruction and be wise, and do not reject it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, keeping the posts of my gateways.

For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from יהוה.

But whoever sins against me harms his own life; all who hate me love death.