Proverbs 8:12-31

New International Version

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.^(A)
13 To fear the Lord^(B) is to hate evil;^(C)
    I hate^(D) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(E)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers^(F) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶ by me princes govern,^(G)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[a]
17 I love those who love me,^(H)
    and those who seek me find me.^(I)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(J)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(K)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;^(L)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(M)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,^(N)
    along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.^(O)

²² “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[b][c]
    before his deeds of old;
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;^(P)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,^(Q)
    before the hills, I was given birth,^(R)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.^(S)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,^(T)
    when he marked out the horizon^(U) on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he established the clouds above^(V)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,^(W)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary^(X)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,^(Y)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.^(Z)
30     Then I was constantly^[d] at his side.^(AA)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.^(AB)