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The Lord made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past.
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From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before the earth was.
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When there was no deep I was given birth, when there were no fountains flowing with water.
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Before the mountains were put in their places, before the hills was my birth:
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When he had not made the earth or the fields or the dust of the world.
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When he made ready the heavens I was there: when he put an arch over the face of the deep:
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When he made strong the skies overhead: when the fountains of the deep were fixed:
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When he put a limit to the sea, so that the waters might not go against his word: when he put in position the bases of the earth:
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Then I was by his side, as a master workman: and I was his delight from day to day, playing before him at all times;
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Playing in his earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.
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Give ear to me then, my sons: for happy are those who keep my ways.