Proverbs 8:13-25

English Standard Version

¹³^(A)The fear of the Lord is ^(B)hatred of evil.
^(C)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and ^(D)perverted speech I hate.
¹⁴I have ^(E)counsel and ^(F)sound wisdom;
    I have insight; ^(G)I have strength.
¹⁵By me ^(H)kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
¹⁶by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.^[a]
¹⁷^(I)I love those who love me,
    and ^(J)those who seek me diligently find me.
¹⁸^(K)Riches and honor are with me,
    ^(L)enduring wealth and ^(M)righteousness.
¹⁹My fruit is ^(N)better than ^(O)gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than ^(P)choice silver.
²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
²¹granting an inheritance to those who love me,
    and filling their treasuries.

²²^(Q)“The Lord ^(R)possessed^[b] me at the beginning of his work,^[c]
    the first of his acts ^(S)of old.
²³Ages ago I was ^(T)set up,
    at the first, ^(U)before the beginning of the earth.
²⁴When there were no ^(V)depths I was ^(W)brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
²⁵Before the mountains ^(X)had been shaped,
    ^(Y)before the hills, I was brought forth,

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Footnotes

Proverbs 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
Proverbs 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created
Proverbs 8:22 Hebrew way