¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(A)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers^(B) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶ by me princes govern,^(C)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[a]
17 I love those who love me,^(D)
    and those who seek me find me.^(E)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(F)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(G)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;^(H)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(I)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,^(J)
    along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.^(K)

²² “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[b][c]
    before his deeds of old;
²³ I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
²⁴ When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;^(L)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,^(M)
    before the hills, I was given birth,^(N)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.^(O)