Verses 2-3 describe the setting where Wisdom calls to the people. See 1.20-21.

“On the heights beside the way”: “On the heights” is literally “On top of the high places.” The word for “high places” is often used in reference to the heavens, to the tops of mountains, and to Zion. Its use in relation to the city means the highest points or locations in a city. These are the places where a person can be most easily seen by those in the streets below. “Beside the way” or “along the road” pictures Wisdom as standing beside the busy road where people pass by. In many languages it is more natural to begin this verse with the subject and verb, which are at the end in Hebrew. We may say, for example, “She [Wisdom] stands on the highest places in the town beside the roads.”

“In the paths she takes her stand”: “In the paths” is literally “at the place of the paths” and has the sense of “at the crossroads” or “where the roads cross each other.” “Takes her stand” is “places herself” or “stands.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .