1
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Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? |
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2
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On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. |
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3
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Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: |
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4
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“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men. |
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5
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O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. |
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6
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Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. |
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7
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For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. |
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8
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All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. |
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9
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They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge. |
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10
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Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. |
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11
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For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. |
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12
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I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. |
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13
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To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. |
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14
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Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. |
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15
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By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; |
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16
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By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. |
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17
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I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. |
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18
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With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. |
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19
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My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver. |
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20
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I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, |
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21
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bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. |
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22
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The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. |
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23
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From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. |
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24
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When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. |
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25
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Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, |
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26
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before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth. |
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27
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I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, |
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28
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when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, |
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29
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when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. |
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30
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Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence. |
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31
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I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men. |
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32
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Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. |
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33
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Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. |
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34
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Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. |
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35
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For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. |
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36
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But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” |
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