Chapter 8

  Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?  

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  She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.  

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  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.  

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  To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  

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  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.  

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  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  

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  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  

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  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  

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  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.  

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  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.  

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  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.  

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  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of ingenious inventions.  

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  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.  

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  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.  

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  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  

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  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.  

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  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.  

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  Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness.  

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  My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.  

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  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment.  

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  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.  

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  The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.  

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  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  

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  When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  

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  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.  

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  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  

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  When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  

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  When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:  

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  When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:  

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  Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;  

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  Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.  

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  Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.  

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  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.  

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  Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  

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  For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD.  

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  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.  

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