19. My fruit is better than refined gold, my harvest better than choice silver.
20. I walk in the way of righteousness, along paths of justice.
21. I endow substance to those who love me and fill their treasuries.
22. “Adonai brought me forth, the first of His way, before His works of old.
23. From eternity I was appointed from the beginning, before the world began.
24. When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25. Before the mountains were shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth.
26. He had not yet made the land, the fields, or the first dust of the earth.
27. When He set the heavens in place, I was there. When He inscribed the horizon on the face of the ocean,
28. when He established the skies above, when He securely fixed the fountains of the deep,
29. when He set the boundaries for the sea, so that the waters never transgress His command, when He laid out earth’s foundations—
30. then I was the craftsman beside Him, I was His daily delight, always rejoicing before Him,
31. rejoicing in His whole world, and delighting in mankind.
32. “So now, children, listen to me! Blessed are those who keep my ways.
33. Heed discipline and be wise, and do not neglect it.
34. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.
35. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from Adonai.
36. But whoever fails to find me harms his life— all who hate me love death.”