14. I make plans and carry them out.I have understanding, and I am strong.
15. I help kings to governand rulers to make good laws.
16. Every ruler on earth governs with my help,officials and nobles alike.
17. I love those who love me;whoever looks for me can find me.
18. I have riches and honour to give,prosperity and success.
19. What you get from me is better than the finest gold,better than the purest silver.
20. I walk the way of righteousness;I follow the paths of justice,
21. giving wealth to those who love me,filling their houses with treasures.
22. “The Lord created me first of all,the first of his works, long ago.
23. I was made in the very beginning,at the first, before the world began.
24. I was born before the oceans,when there were no springs of water.
25. I was born before the mountains,before the hills were set in place,
26. before God made the earth and its fieldsor even the first handful of soil.
27. I was there when he set the sky in place,when he stretched the horizon across the ocean,
28. when he placed the clouds in the sky,when he opened the springs of the ocean
29. and ordered the waters of the seato rise no further than he said.I was there when he laid the earth's foundations.
30. I was beside him like an architect,I was his daily source of joy,always happy in his presence —
31. happy with the worldand pleased with the human race.
32. “Now, young people, listen to me.Do as I say, and you will be happy.