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8:1  Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise its voice?
8:2  Wisdom takes its stand on high ground, by the wayside where the roads meet,
8:3  near the gates to the city. At the entrance wisdom sings its song,
8:4  “I am calling to all of you, and my appeal is to all people.
8:5  You gullible people, learn how to be sensible. You fools, get a heart that has understanding.
8:6  Listen! I am speaking about noble things, and my lips will say what is right.
8:7  My mouth expresses the truth, and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.
8:8  Everything I say is fair, and there is nothing twisted or crooked in it.
8:9  All of it is clear to a person who has understanding and right to those who have acquired knowledge.
8:10  Take my discipline, not silver, and my knowledge rather than fine gold,
8:11  because wisdom is better than jewels. Nothing you desire can equal it.
8:12  “I, Wisdom, live with insight, and I acquire knowledge and foresight.
8:13  To fear Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and twisted speech.
8:14  Advice and priceless wisdom are mine. I, Understanding, have strength.
8:15  Through me kings reign, and rulers decree fair laws.
8:16  Through me princes rule, so do nobles and all fair judges.
8:17  I love those who love me. Those eagerly looking for me will find me.
8:18  I have riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness.
8:19  What I produce is better than gold, pure gold. What I yield is better than fine silver.
8:20  I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice,
8:21  to give an inheritance to those who love me and to fill their treasuries.
8:22  “Yahweh already possessed me long ago, when his way began, before any of his works.
8:23  I was appointed from everlasting from the first, before the earth began.
8:24  I was born before there were oceans, before there were springs filled with water.
8:25  I was born before the mountains were settled in their places and before the hills,
8:26  when he had not yet made land or fields or the first dust of the world.
8:27  “When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean,
8:28  when he established the skies above, when he determined the currents in the ocean,
8:29  when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth,
8:30  I was beside him as a master craftsman. I made him happy day after day, I rejoiced in front of him all the time,
8:31  found joy in his inhabited world, and delighted in the human race.
8:32  “Now, sons, listen to me. Blessed are those who follow my ways.
8:33  Listen to discipline, and become wise. Do not leave my ways.
8:34  Blessed is the person who listens to me, watches at my door day after day, and waits by my doorposts.
8:35  Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from Yahweh.
8:36  Whoever sins against me harms himself. All those who hate me love death.”