An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom
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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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“I call to you men! 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 the LORD 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 middle of the paths of justice,
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that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
Anticipation of wisdom
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“The LORD 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 born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
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Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
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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.
Call to wisdom
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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 the LORD.
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But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”