1. Doesn’t Wisdom call out?Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
2. At the heights overlooking the road,at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3. Beside the gates at the entry to the city,at the main entrance, she cries out:
4. “People, I call out to you;my cry is to mankind.
5. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6. Listen, for I speak of noble things,and what my lips say is right.
7. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8. All the words of my mouth are righteous;none of them are deceptive or perverse.
9. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge.
10. Accept my instruction instead of silver,and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11. For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can compare with it.
12. I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdnessand have knowledge and discretion.
13. To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,and perverse speech.
14. I possess good advice and competence; I have understanding and strength.
15. It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law;
16. by me, princes lead,as do nobles and all righteous judges.
17. I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.