8 Does not wisdom call
    and understanding raise her voice?^(A)
2 On the heights, beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries out:^(B)
4 “To you, O people, I call,
    and my cry is to all who live.
⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;
    acquire intelligence, you who lack it.^(C)
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,^(D)
7 for my mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.^(E)
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.^(A)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
    along the paths of justice,
²¹ endowing with wealth those who love me
    and filling their treasuries.

⁴ “You who are simple, turn in here!”
    To those without sense she says,^(A)
5 “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.^(B)
6 Lay aside immaturity and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”^(C)