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(Prov 8:1 NIV) Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
(Prov 8:2 NIV) On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
(Prov 8:3 NIV) beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:
(Prov 8:4 NIV) "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
(Prov 8:5 NIV) You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.
(Prov 8:6 NIV) Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
(Prov 8:7 NIV) My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
(Prov 8:8 NIV) All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
(Prov 8:9 NIV) To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
(Prov 8:10 NIV) Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
(Prov 8:11 NIV) for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
(Prov 8:12 NIV) "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
(Prov 8:13 NIV) To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
(Prov 8:14 NIV) Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.
(Prov 8:15 NIV) By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;
(Prov 8:16 NIV) by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
(Prov 8:17 NIV) I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
(Prov 8:18 NIV) With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
(Prov 8:19 NIV) My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
(Prov 8:20 NIV) I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
(Prov 8:21 NIV) bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
(Prov 8:22 NIV) "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
(Prov 8:23 NIV) I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
(Prov 8:24 NIV) When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
(Prov 8:25 NIV) before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
(Prov 8:26 NIV) before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
(Prov 8:27 NIV) I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
(Prov 8:28 NIV) when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
(Prov 8:29 NIV) when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
(Prov 8:30 NIV) Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
(Prov 8:31 NIV) rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
(Prov 8:32 NIV) "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
(Prov 8:33 NIV) Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
(Prov 8:34 NIV) Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
(Prov 8:35 NIV) For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
(Prov 8:36 NIV) But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
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