New Living Translation

1 Listen as Wisdom calls out!<br>Hear as understanding raises her voice!<br> 2 On the hilltop along the road,<br>she takes her stand at the crossroads.<br> 3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,<br>on the road leading in, she cries aloud,<br> 4 “I call to you, to all of you!<br>I raise my voice to all people.<br> 5 You simple people, use good judgment.<br>You foolish people, show some understanding.<br> 6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.<br>Everything I say is right,<br> 7 for I speak the truth<br>and detest every kind of deception.<br> 8 My advice is wholesome.<br>There is nothing devious or crooked in it.<br> 9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,<br>clear to those with knowledge.<br> 10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,<br>and knowledge rather than pure gold.<br> 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.<br>Nothing you desire can compare with it.<br> 12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.<br>I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.<br> 13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil.<br>Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,<br>corruption and perverse speech.<br> 14 Common sense and success belong to me.<br>Insight and strength are mine.<br> 15 Because of me, kings reign,<br>and rulers make just decrees.<br> 16 Rulers lead with my help,<br>and nobles make righteous judgments.<br> 17 “I love all who love me.<br>Those who search will surely find me.<br> 18 I have riches and honor,<br>as well as enduring wealth and justice.<br> 19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,<br>my wages better than sterling silver!<br> 20 I walk in righteousness,<br>in paths of justice.<br> 21 Those who love me inherit wealth.<br>I will fill their treasuries.<br> 22 “The LORD formed me from the beginning,<br>before he created anything else.<br> 23 I was appointed in ages past,<br>at the very first, before the earth began.<br> 24 I was born before the oceans were created,<br>before the springs bubbled forth their waters.<br> 25 Before the mountains were formed,<br>before the hills, I was born —<br> 26 before he had made the earth and fields<br>and the first handfuls of soil.<br> 27 I was there when he established the heavens,<br>when he drew the horizon on the oceans.<br> 28 I was there when he set the clouds above,<br>when he established springs deep in the earth.<br> 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,<br>so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.<br>And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,<br> 30 I was the architect at his side.<br>I was his constant delight,<br>rejoicing always in his presence.<br> 31 And how happy I was with the world he created;<br>how I rejoiced with the human family!<br> 32 “And so, my children, listen to me,<br>for all who follow my ways are joyful.<br> 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.<br>Don’t ignore it.<br> 34 Joyful are those who listen to me,<br>watching for me daily at my gates,<br>waiting for me outside my home!<br> 35 For whoever finds me finds life<br>and receives favor from the LORD.<br> 36 But those who miss me injure themselves.<br>All who hate me love death.”<br>