and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. [1]
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [2]
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. [3] [4]
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the depth: [5]
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him : and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour from the LORD. [6]
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
CHAP. 9.
Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mixed her wine; she hath also furnished her table. [7]
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mixed.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it .
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call those who pass by who go right on their ways:
16 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. [8]
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
CHAP. 10.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3 The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. [9]
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
