8:23 From eternity I was appointed, 1
from the beginning, from before the world existed. 2
8:24 When there were no deep oceans 3 I was born, 4
when there were no springs overflowing 5 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, 6
or the beginning 7 of the dust of the world.
8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he marked out the horizon 8 over the face of the deep,
8:28 when he established the clouds above,
when the fountains of the deep grew strong, 9
8:29 when he gave the sea his decree
that the waters should not pass over his command, 10
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
8:30 then I was 11 beside him as a master craftsman, 12
and I was his delight 13 day by day,
rejoicing before him at all times,
8:31 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, 14
and delighting 15 in its people. 16
8:32 “So now, children, 17 listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33 Listen to my instruction 18 so that you may be wise, 19
and do not neglect it.
8:34 Blessed is the one 20 who listens to me,
watching 21 at my doors day by day,
waiting 22 beside my doorway. 23
8:35 For the one who finds me finds 24 life
and receives 25 favor from the Lord.
8:36 But the one who does not find me 26 brings harm 27 to himself; 28
all who hate me 29 love death.”