25. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, [Job 15:7, 8.]
26. While as yet He had not made the land or the fields or the first of the dust of the earth.
27. When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it,
28. When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep,
29. When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth–[Job 38:10, 11; Ps. 104:6-9; Jer. 5:22.]
30. Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, [Matt. 3:17; John 1:2, 18.]
31. Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men. [Ps. 16:3.]
32. Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. [Ps. 119:1, 2; 128:1, 2; Luke 11:28.]
33. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it.
34. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35. For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord.