Proverbs 8:22-36

22“The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago.

23I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.

24I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water.

25Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth —

26before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.

27I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

28when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,

29when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

30I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him.

31I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam.

32“And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy.

33Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it.

34Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.

35For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,

36but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”