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Chapter 8
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1
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Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her
voice? |
2
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She standeth in the top of high places, by the way
in the places of the paths. |
3
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She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city,
at the coming in at the doors. |
4
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Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons
of man. |
5
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O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye
of an understanding heart. |
6
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Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the
opening of my lips shall be right things. |
7
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For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an
abomination to my lips. |
8
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All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there
is nothing froward or perverse in them. |
9
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They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right
to them that find knowledge. |
10
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Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge
rather than choice gold. |
11
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For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things
that may be desired are not to be compared to it. |
12
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I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge
of witty inventions. |
13
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The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy,
and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. |
14
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Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding;
I have strength. |
15
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By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. |
16
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By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges
of the earth. |
17
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I love them that love me; and those that seek me early
shall find me. |
18
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Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches
and righteousness. |
19
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My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
and my revenue than choice silver. |
20
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I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of
the paths of judgment: |
21
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That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures. |
22
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The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way,
before his works of old. |
23
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I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
or ever the earth was. |
24
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When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when
there were no fountains abounding with water. |
25
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Before the mountains were settled, before the hills
was I brought forth: |
26
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While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the highest part of the dust of the world. |
27
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When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he
set a compass upon the face of the depth: |
28
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When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep: |
29
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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
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Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and
I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; |
31
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Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my
delights were with the sons of men. |
32
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Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed
are they that keep my ways. |
33
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Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. |
34
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Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily
at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. |
35
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For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain
favour of the LORD. |
36
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But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
all they that hate me love death. |
