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8:1  Listen, Wisdom is calling. Yes, Understanding is shouting for us.
8:2  Wisdom stands at the top of the hill, by the road where the paths meet.
8:3  She is near the entrance to the city, calling from the open gates.
8:4  “I am calling out to all of you. I am speaking to everyone.
8:5  You who are ignorant, learn to be wise. You who are foolish, get some common sense.
8:6  Listen, I have something important to say, and I am telling you what is right.
8:7  My words are true, and I will not say anything that is wrong.
8:8  Everything I say is right; there is nothing false or crooked about it.
8:9  These things are clear to any intelligent person. They are right to anyone with knowledge.
8:10  Choose discipline over silver and knowledge over the finest gold.
8:11  Wisdom is better than pearls, and nothing you desire compares with her.
8:12  “I am Wisdom. I live with Good Judgment. I am at home with Knowledge and Planning.
8:13  To respect the Lord means to hate evil. I hate pride and boasting, evil lives and hurtful words.
8:14  I have good advice and common sense to offer. I have understanding and power.
8:15  With my help kings rule, and governors make good laws.
8:16  With my help leaders govern, and important officials make good decisions.
8:17  I love those who love me, and those who look for me will find me.
8:18  With me there are riches and honor. I have lasting wealth to give to you.
8:19  What I give is better than fine gold. What I produce is better than pure silver.
8:20  I lead people the right way— along the paths of justice.
8:21  I give riches to those who love me, and I fill their houses with treasures.
8:22  “The Lord made me in the beginning, long before he did anything else.
8:23  I was formed a long time ago, before the world was made.
8:24  I was born before there was an ocean, before the springs began to flow.
8:25  I was born before the mountains and hills were set into place,
8:26  before the earth and fields were made, before the dust of this world was formed.
8:27  I was there when he set up the skies, when he drew a circle in the ocean to make a place for the land.
8:28  I was there when he put the clouds in the sky and made the deep springs flow.
8:29  I was there when he set the limits on the sea to make it stop where he said. I was there when he laid the foundations of the earth.
8:30  I grew up as a child by his side, laughing and playing all the time.
8:31  I played in the world he made and enjoyed the people he put there.
8:32  “Now, children, listen to me. If you follow my ways, you will be happy too.
8:33  Listen to my teaching and be wise; don’t ignore what I say.
8:34  Whoever waits at my door and listens for me will be blessed.
8:35  Those who find me find life, and the Lord will reward them.
8:36  But those who do not find me put their lives in danger. Whoever hates me loves death.”