8 Isn’t wisdom calling out;
isn’t understanding raising her voice?
² On top of the highest places along the road
    she stands where the roads meet.
³ Beside the gates, at the city entrance—
    at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:
⁴ “I’m calling to you, men!
    What I have to say pertains^[a] to all mankind!
⁵ Understand prudence, you naïve people;
    and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.
⁶ Listen, because I have noble things to say,
    and what I have to say^[b] will reveal what is right.
⁷ For my mouth speaks the truth—
    wickedness is detestable to me.
⁸ Everything I have to say is just;
    there isn’t anything corrupt or perverse in my speech.^[c]
9 Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands,
    and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.
¹⁰ Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money
    and knowledge instead of the finest gold,
¹¹ because wisdom is better than precious gems^[d]
    and nothing you desire can compare to it.”

¹² “I, wisdom, am related to^[e] prudence.
    I know how to be discreet.
¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.
¹⁴ Counsel belongs to me,
    along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
    Power belongs to me.
¹⁵ Kings reign by me,
    and rulers dispense justice through me.
¹⁶ By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
    and all who govern justly.^[f]
17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me will find me.
¹⁸ Wealth and honor accompany me,
    as do enduring wealth and righteousness.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold,
    better^[g] than even refined gold,
        and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.
²⁰ I walk on the way of righteousness,
    along paths that are just,
²¹ I bequeath wealth to those who love me,
    and I will fill their treasuries.”

²² “The Lord made me as he began his planning,^[h]
    before his ancient activity commenced.
²³ From eternity I was appointed,
    from the beginning,
        from before there was land.
²⁴ When there were no ocean depths,
    I brought them^[i] to birth
        at a time when there were no springs.
²⁵ Before the mountains were shaped,
    before there were hills,
        I was bringing them^[j] to birth.

³² “So listen to me, children!
    Blessed are those who obey me.
³³ Listen to instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
³⁴ Blessed is the person who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
        waiting at my doorways—
³⁵ because those who find me find life
    and gain favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But whoever sins against me destroys himself;
    everyone who hates me loves death.”

9 Wisdom^[m] has built her house;
she has hewn out her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her food,^[n]
    she has spiced^[o] her wine,
        and she also has set her dining table.
³ She has sent out her young women,
    while calling out from the heights of the city,
⁴ “Let whoever is naïve, turn in here.”
    To anyone lacking sense, she says,
⁵ “Come! Eat my food,
    and drink the wine that I have mixed.
⁶ Leave your naïve ways, and live.
    Walk in the path of understanding.”