Chapter 8

  Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?  

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  On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she stands.  

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  Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entry doors, she cries aloud:  

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  'To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.  

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  You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.  

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  Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.  

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  For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  

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  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.  

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  They are all plain to him who understands, Right to those who find knowledge.  

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  Receive my instruction rather than silver; Knowledge rather than choice gold.  

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  For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.  

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  'I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.  

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  The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.  

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  Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.  

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  By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.  

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  By me princes rule; Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.  

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  I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.  

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  With me are riches, honor, Enduring wealth, and prosperity.  

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  My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver.  

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  I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;  

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  That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.  

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  'Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, Before his deeds of old.  

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  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth existed.  

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  When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.  

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  Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth;  

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  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.  

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  When he established the heavens, I was there; When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,  

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  When he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong,  

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  When he gave to the sea its boundary, That the waters should not violate his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;  

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  Then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before him,  

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  Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.  

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  'Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways.  

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  Hear instruction, and be wise, Don't refuse it.  

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  Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts.  

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  For whoever finds me, finds life, And will obtain favor from Yahweh.  

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  But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.'  

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