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8:1  Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!
8:2  On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.
8:3  By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
8:4  "I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.
8:5  You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.
8:6  Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,
8:7  for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.
8:8  My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
8:9  My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
8:10  Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
8:11  For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
8:12  "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
8:13  All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.
8:14  Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
8:15  Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.
8:16  Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
8:17  "I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
8:18  I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.
8:19  My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!
8:20  I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
8:21  Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.
8:22  "The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.
8:23  I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
8:24  I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
8:25  Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born--
8:26  before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.
8:27  I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
8:28  I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.
8:29  I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations,
8:30  I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.
8:31  And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!
8:32  "And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.
8:33  Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it.
8:34  Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!
8:35  For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
8:36  But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death."