The Proverbs

Does wisdom not call? And understanding give forth her voice?

At the head of high places by the way, || She has stood between the paths,

At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, || The entrance of the openings, she cries aloud,

“To you, O men, I call, || And my voice [is] to the sons of men.

Understand, you simple ones, prudence, || And you fools, understand the heart,

Listen, for I speak noble things, || And the opening of my lips [is] uprightness.

For my mouth utters truth, || And wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.

All the sayings of my mouth [are] in righteousness, || Nothing in them is contrary and perverse.

All of them [are] plain to the intelligent, || And upright to those finding knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not silver, || And knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom [is] better than rubies, || Indeed, all delights are not comparable with it.

I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, || And I find out a knowledge of purposes.

The fear of YHWH [is] to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, || And a contrary mouth, I have hated.

Counsel and substance [are] mine, || I [am] understanding, I have might.

By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,

By me chiefs rule, and nobles, || All judges of earth.

I love those loving me, || And those seeking me earnestly find me.

Wealth and honor [are] with me, || Lasting substance and righteousness.

My fruit [is] better than gold, even fine gold, || And my increase than choice silver.

I cause to walk in a path of righteousness, || In midst of paths of judgment,

To cause my lovers to inherit substance, || Indeed, I fill their treasures.

YHWH possessed me—the beginning of His way, || Before His works since then.

I was anointed from the age, from the first, || From former states of the earth.

In there being no depths, I was brought forth, || In there being no fountains heavy [with] waters,

Before mountains were sunk, || Before heights, I was brought forth.

While He had not made the earth, and out-places, || And the top of the dusts of the world.

In His preparing the heavens I [am] there, || In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,

In His strengthening clouds above, || In His making strong fountains of the deep,

In His setting for the sea its limit, || And the waters do not transgress His command, || In His decreeing the foundations of earth,

Then I am near Him, a workman, || And I am a delight—day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,

Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, || And my delights [are] with the sons of men.

And now, you sons, listen to me, || Indeed, blessed are they who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not slight.

O the blessedness of the man listening to me, || To watch at my doors day by day, || To watch at the doorposts of my entrance.

For whoever is finding me, has found life, || And brings out goodwill from YHWH.

And whoever is missing me, is wronging his soul, || All hating me have loved death!”