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8:1  Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
8:2  At the highest point along the way, she takes her place where the paths meet.
8:3  Beside the gate leading into the city, she cries out at the entrance. She says,
8:4  “People, I call out to you. I raise my voice to all human beings.
8:5  You who are childish, get some good sense. You who are foolish, set your hearts on getting it.
8:6  Listen! I have things to say that you can depend on. I open my lips to speak what is right.
8:7  My mouth speaks what is true. My lips hate evil.
8:8  All the words of my mouth are honest. None of them is twisted or sinful.
8:9  To those who have understanding, all my words are right. To those who have found knowledge, they are true.
8:10  Choose my teaching instead of silver. Choose knowledge rather than fine gold.
8:11  Wisdom is worth more than rubies. Nothing you want can compare with her.
8:12  “I, wisdom, live together with understanding. I have knowledge and good sense.
8:13  To have respect for the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and bragging. I hate evil ways and twisted words.
8:14  I have good sense and give good advice. I have understanding and power.
8:15  By me kings rule. Leaders make laws that are fair.
8:16  By me princes and nobles govern. It is by me that anyone rules on earth.
8:17  I love those who love me. Those who look for me find me.
8:18  With me are riches and honor. With me are lasting wealth and success.
8:19  My fruit is better than fine gold. My gifts are better than the finest silver.
8:20  I walk in ways that are honest. I take paths that are right.
8:21  I leave riches to those who love me. I give them more than they have room for.
8:22  “The Lord created me as the first of his works, before his acts of long ago.
8:23  I was formed a long, long time ago. I was formed at the very beginning, when the world was created.
8:24  Before there were any oceans, I was born. It was before there were springs flowing with water.
8:25  Before the mountains were settled in place, I was born. Before there were any hills, I was born.
8:26  It happened before the Lord made the world and its fields. It was before he made the dust of the earth.
8:27  I was there when he set the heavens in place. When he marked out the place where the sky meets the sea, I was there.
8:28  That was when he put the clouds above. It was when he fixed the ocean springs in place.
8:29  It was when he set limits for the sea so that the waters had to obey his command. When the Lord marked out the foundations of the earth, I was there.
8:30  I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day. I was always happy to be with him.
8:31  His whole world filled me with joy. I took delight in all human beings.
8:32  “My children, listen to me. Blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33  Listen to my teaching and be wise. Don’t turn away from it.
8:34  Blessed are those who listen to me. They watch every day at my doors. They wait beside my doorway.
8:35  Those who find me find life. They receive blessing from the Lord.
8:36  But those who don’t find me harm only themselves. Everyone who hates me loves death.”