Proverbs 8:22-36

22“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

23I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.

27When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

30Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

31Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

32“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

34Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;

36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”