²⁵ In the beginning^(A) you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens^(B) are the work of your hands.^(C)

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.^(A)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.^(B)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,^(C)
    and your years will never end.”^[a](D)

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;^(A)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,^(B)
    before the hills, I was given birth,^(C)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.^(D)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,^(E)
    when he marked out the horizon^(F) on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he established the clouds above^(G)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,^(H)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary^(I)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,^(J)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.^(K)
30     Then I was constantly^[a] at his side.^(L)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.^(M)

³² “Now then, my children, listen^(N) to me;
    blessed are^(O) those who keep my ways.^(P)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen^(Q) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me^(R) find life^(S)
    and receive favor from the Lord.^(T)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;^(U)
    all who hate me love death.”^(V)

⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols,^(A)
    but the Lord made the heavens.^(B)