from the beginning, from the first times of the earth.

When there were no floods, I was brought forth,

when there were no fountains rich in water.

Before the mountains were settled,

before the hills was I brought forth;

While as yet he had not made the earth with (its) fields,

and the atoms of dust which form the ground.

When he established the heaven, I was there,

when he marked a circle upon the face of the flood,[[225]]

When he made firm the sky above,