Wisdom Calls Aloud
8 1 Does not Wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? 2 Atop the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand. 3 Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, at the doorways she cries aloud: 4 To you, all people, I call out; my voice reaches all humanity. 5 You who are simple, learn prudence; you who are foolish, gain an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and everything I say is right. 7 My mouth utters truth, for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them is twisted or crooked. 9 To the one who understands they are all clear, and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 I, Wisdom — Jesus, the wisdom of our Father — dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of our Father is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance, the evil way, and perverse speech I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding; strength is mine. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me princes govern, and nobles — all who rule with justice. 17 I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, than the finest gold, and what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
22 Our Father brought me forth at the beginning of his way, before his works of old. a a v22 Wisdom — the Son — was brought forth, not made; he is of our Father from all eternity, sharing his life before anything was created. 23 From ages past I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. 24 When there were no deep waters I was brought forth, when there were no springs overflowing with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 while he had not yet made the earth and its fields, or the first dust of the world. 27 When he set the heavens in place, I was there; when he drew a circle over the face of the deep, 28 when he set the skies in place above, when he established the springs of the deep, 29 when he set for the sea its boundary so the waters would not cross their limits, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him as a master craftsman, and I was his daily delight, rejoicing before him always, b b v30 Some ancient versions read 'little child' here instead of 'master craftsman,' picturing Wisdom as a child rejoicing at the Father's side. 31 rejoicing in his whole world, and delighting in the human family.
32 And now, my children, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from our Father. 36 But whoever misses me harms his own soul; all who hate me love death.