Study Desk

Does not wisdom call out?^(a) Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:^(b)

"To you, O people, I call out;^(c) I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple,^(d) gain prudence;^(e) you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,^(f) for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,^(g)

for wisdom is more precious^(h) than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.⁽ⁱ⁾

"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.^(j)

To fear the Lord ^(k) is to hate evil;^(l) I hate^(m) pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.⁽ⁿ⁾

By me kings reign and rulers^(o) issue decrees that are just;

by me princes govern,^(p) and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[b]

I love those who love me,^(q) and those who seek me find me.^(r)

With me are riches and honor,^(s) enduring wealth and prosperity.^(t)

My fruit is better than fine gold;^(u) what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(v)

I walk in the way of righteousness,^(w) along the paths of justice,

bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.^(x)

"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[c][d] before his deeds of old;

I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;^(y)

before the mountains were settled in place,^(z) before the hills, I was given birth,^(aa)

before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.^(ab)

I was there when he set the heavens in place,^(ac) when he marked out the horizon^(ad) on the face of the deep,

when he established the clouds above^(ae) and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,^(af)

when he gave the sea its boundary^(ag) so the waters would not overstep his command,^(ah) and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.^(ai)

Then I was constantly^[e] at his side.^(aj) I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.^(ak)

"Now then, my children, listen^(al) to me; blessed are^(am) those who keep my ways.^(an)

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Blessed are those who listen^(ao) to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

For those who find me^(ap) find life^(aq) and receive favor from the Lord .^(ar)

But those who fail to find me harm themselves;^(as) all who hate me love death."^(at)

Wisdom has built^(a) her house; she has set up^[a] its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;^(b) she has also set her table.^(c)

She has sent out her servants, and she calls^(d) from the highest point of the city,^(e)

"Let all who are simple^(f) come to my house!" To those who have no sense^(g) she says,

"Come,^(h) eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.⁽ⁱ⁾

Leave your simple ways and you will live;^(j) walk in the way of insight."^(k)

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.^(l)

Do not rebuke mockers^(m) or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.⁽ⁿ⁾

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.^(o)

The fear of the Lord ^(p) is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One^(q) is understanding.^(r)

For through wisdom^[b] your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.^(s)

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Folly is an unruly woman;^(t) she is simple and knows nothing.^(u)

She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,^(v)

calling out^(w) to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,

"Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense^(x) she says,

"Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!^(y)"

But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(z)