Proverbs 8:22-36

22“The Lord already possessed me long ago, when his way began, before any of his works.

23I was appointed from everlasting from the first, before the earth began.

24I was born before there were oceans, before there were springs filled with water.

25I was born before the mountains were settled in their places and before the hills,

26when he had not yet made land or fields or the first dust of the world.

27“When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

28when he established the skies above, when he determined the currents in the ocean,

29when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth,

30I was beside him as a master craftsman. I made him happy day after day, I rejoiced in front of him all the time,

31found joy in his inhabited world, and delighted in the human race.

32“Now, sons, listen to me. Blessed are those who follow my ways.

33Listen to discipline, and become wise. Do not leave my ways.

34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watches at my door day after day, and waits by my doorposts.

35Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.

36Whoever sins against me harms himself. All those who hate me love death.”