8:22 The Lord created 1 me as the beginning 2 of his works, 3
before his deeds of long ago.
8:23 From eternity I was appointed, 4
from the beginning, from before the world existed. 5
8:24 When there were no deep oceans 6 I was born, 7
when there were no springs overflowing 8 with water;
8:25 before the mountains were set in place –
before the hills – I was born,
8:26 before he made the earth and its fields, 9
or the beginning 10 of the dust of the world.
8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he marked out the horizon 11 over the face of the deep,
8:28 when he established the clouds above,
when the fountains of the deep grew strong, 12
8:29 when he gave the sea his decree
that the waters should not pass over his command, 13
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
8:30 then I was 14 beside him as a master craftsman, 15
and I was his delight 16 day by day,
rejoicing before him at all times,