17“I love all who love me.

Those who search will surely find me.

18I have riches and honor,

as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,

my wages better than sterling silver!

20I walk in righteousness,

in paths of justice.

21Those who love me inherit wealth.

I will fill their treasuries.

22“The Lord formed me from the beginning,

before he created anything else.

23I was appointed in ages past,

at the very first, before the earth began.

24I was born before the oceans were created,

before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

25Before the mountains were formed,

before the hills, I was born—

26before he had made the earth and fields

and the first handfuls of soil.

27I was there when he established the heavens,

when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

28I was there when he set the clouds above,

when he established springs deep in the earth.

29I was there when he set the limits of the seas,

so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.

And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

30I was the architect at his side.

I was his constant delight,

rejoicing always in his presence.

31And how happy I was with the world he created;

how I rejoiced with the human family!

32“And so, my children,* listen to me,

for all who follow my ways are joyful.

33Listen to my instruction and be wise.

Don’t ignore it.

34Joyful are those who listen to me,

watching for me daily at my gates,

waiting for me outside my home!

35For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the Lord.

36But those who miss me injure themselves.

All who hate me love death.”