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8:1  Like a person, wisdom calls out to you. Understanding raises her voice.
8:2  On the hilltops along the road and at the crossroads, she stands calling.
8:3  She stands beside the city gates. At the entrances into the city, she calls out:
8:4  “People, I’m calling out to you. I am shouting to all people.
8:5  You who do not know better, get the ability to think. You who are foolish, get understanding.
8:6  Listen. I have important things to say. What I tell you is right.
8:7  What I say is true. I hate it when people speak evil.
8:8  Everything I say is honest. Nothing I say is crooked or false.
8:9  People with good sense know that what I say is true. People with knowledge know that my words are right.
8:10  Choose my teachings instead of silver. Choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.
8:11  Wisdom is more precious than rubies. Nothing you want is equal to it.
8:12  “I am wisdom, and I have the ability to think. I also have knowledge and good sense.
8:13  If you respect the Lord, you also will hate evil. It is wise to hate pride and bragging, evil ways and lies.
8:14  I have good sense and advice. I have understanding and power.
8:15  Kings use me to govern. And rulers use me to make fair laws.
8:16  Princes use me to lead. So do important men and all good judges.
8:17  I love those who love me. Those who want me find me.
8:18  Riches and honor are mine. So are wealth and lasting success.
8:19  What I give is better than the finest gold. What I give is better than pure silver.
8:20  I do what is right. I do what is fair.
8:21  I give wealth to those who love me. I fill them with treasures.
8:22  “I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work. This was before he made anything else long ago.
8:23  I was appointed in the very beginning, even before the world began.
8:24  I began before there were oceans. There were no springs overflowing with water.
8:25  I began before the hills were there. The mountains had not even been put in place.
8:26  God still had not made the earth or fields. He had not even made the first dust of the earth.
8:27  I was there when God put the skies in place, when he stretched the horizon over the oceans.
8:28  I was there when he made the clouds above. I was there when he put the fountains in the oceans.
8:29  I was there when he ordered the sea not to go beyond the borders he had set for it. I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
8:30  I was like a child by his side. I was happy every day and enjoyed being in his presence.
8:31  I enjoyed the whole world. And I was happy with all its people.
8:32  “Now, my children, listen to me. Those who follow my ways are happy.
8:33  Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise. Do not ignore it.
8:34  Those who listen to me are happy. They stand watching at my door every day. They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.
8:35  Whoever finds me finds life. And the Lord will be pleased with him.
8:36  Whoever does not find me hurts himself. Those who hate me love death.”