Proverbs 8:4-21

English Standard Version

⁴“To you, O ^(A)men, I call,
    and my cry is to ^(B)the children of man.
⁵O ^(C)simple ones, learn ^(D)prudence;
    O ^(E)fools, learn sense.
⁶Hear, for I will speak ^(F)noble things,
    and from my lips will come ^(G)what is right,
⁷for my ^(H)mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing ^(I)twisted or crooked in them.
⁹They are all ^(J)straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰^(K)Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹^(L)for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and ^(M)all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and ^(N)discretion.
¹³^(O)The fear of the Lord is ^(P)hatred of evil.
^(Q)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and ^(R)perverted speech I hate.
¹⁴I have ^(S)counsel and ^(T)sound wisdom;
    I have insight; ^(U)I have strength.
¹⁵By me ^(V)kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
¹⁶by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.^[a]
¹⁷^(W)I love those who love me,
    and ^(X)those who seek me diligently find me.
¹⁸^(Y)Riches and honor are with me,
    ^(Z)enduring wealth and ^(AA)righteousness.
¹⁹My fruit is ^(AB)better than ^(AC)gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than ^(AD)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.