Wisdom calls from the heights

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Wisdom1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Wisdom2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Wisdom3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

Wisdom4“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

Wisdom5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

SpeechWisdom6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

Speech7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

SpeechJustice8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

Wisdom9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

WisdomDiscipline10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

Wisdom11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

By me kings reign and rulers decree

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Wisdom12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

Fear of Lord13To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

WisdomLeadership14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

LeadershipJustice15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

Leadership16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.

Wisdom17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

WisdomWealth18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

WisdomWealth19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

WisdomJustice20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

WisdomWealth21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

I was beside him as a master craftsman

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Fear of LordWisdom22“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

Wisdom23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

Wisdom24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;

Wisdom25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

Wisdom26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

Wisdom27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

Wisdom28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

Wisdom29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Wisdom30Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

Wisdom31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Whoever finds me finds life

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Discipline32“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

DisciplineWisdom33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Wisdom34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

WisdomFear of Lord35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

Wisdom36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

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