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8 <1> Listen, Wisdom is calling.
Yes, Understanding is shouting for us.
<2> Wisdom stands at the top of the hill,
by the road where the paths meet.
<3> She is near the entrance to the city,
calling from the open gates.
<4> "I am calling out to all of you.
I am speaking to everyone.
<5> You who are ignorant, learn to be wise.
You who are foolish, get some common sense.
<6> Listen, I have something important to say,
and I am telling you what is right.
<7> My words are true,
and I will not say anything that is wrong.
<8> Everything I say is right;
there is nothing false or crooked about it.
<9> These things are clear
to any intelligent person.
They are right
to anyone with knowledge.
<10> Choose discipline over silver
and knowledge over the finest gold.
<11> Wisdom is better than pearls,
and nothing you desire compares with her.
<12> "I am Wisdom.
I live with Good Judgment.
I am at home with Knowledge and Planning.
<13> To respect the Lord means to hate evil.
I hate pride and boasting,
evil lives and hurtful words.
<14> I have good advice and common sense to offer.
I have understanding and power.
<15> With my help kings rule,
and governors make good laws.
<16> With my help leaders govern,
and important officials make good decisions.[15]
<17> I love those who love me,
and those who look for me will find me.
<18> With me there are riches and honor.
I have lasting wealth to give to you.
<19> What I give is better than fine gold.
What I produce is better than pure silver.
<20> I lead people the right way-
along the paths of justice.
<21> I give riches to those who love me,
and I fill their houses with treasures.
<22> "The Lord made me in the beginning,
long before he did anything else.
<23> I was formed a long time ago,
before the world was made.
<24> I was born before there was an ocean,
before the springs began to flow.
<25> I was born before the mountains and hills were set into place,
<26> before the earth and fields were made,
before the dust of this world was formed.
<27> I was there
when the Lord set up the skies,
when he drew a circle in the ocean to make a place for the land.
<28> I was there
when he put the clouds in the sky and made the deep springs flow.
<29> I was there
when he set the limits on the sea to make it stop where he said.
I was there
when he laid the foundations of the earth.
<30> I grew up as a child by his side,[16]
laughing and playing all the time.
<31> I played in the world he made
and enjoyed the people he put there.
<32> "Now, children, listen to me.
If you follow my ways,
you will be happy too.
<33> Listen to my teaching and be wise;
don't ignore what I say.
<34> Whoever waits at my door
and listens for me will be blessed.
<35> Those who find me find life,
and the Lord will reward them.
<36> But those who do not find me
put their lives in danger.
Whoever hates me loves death."
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.