Proverbs 8

Wisdom's Call

1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.

6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.

7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.

9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.

15 By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;

16 by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth.

17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,,
before his deeds of old;

23 I was appointed from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began.

24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water;

25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,

26 before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.

36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”

PROVERBS 8

In Praise of Wisdom

1  t With great understanding,
Wisdomt is calling out

2 as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.

3 She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:

4 “I am calling out
to each one of you!

5 Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.

6 Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.

7 I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.

8 Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.

9 “If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.

10 Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you than silver
or the finest gold.

11  t Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.”

Wisdom Speaks

12 I am Wisdomt—Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.

13 If you respect the [Lord],
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.

14 I am strong, and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.

15 By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.

16 Every honest leader rules
with help from me.

17 I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.

18 I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.

19 What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.

20 I always do what is right,

21 and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.

22  t From the beginning,
I was with the [Lord].t
I was there before he began

23 to create the earth.
At the very first,
the [Lord] gave life tot me.

24 When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.

25 My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.

26 It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.

27  t I was there when the [Lord]
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.

28 I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.

29 I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.

30 I was right beside the [Lord],
helping him plan and build.t
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.

31 I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.

32  t Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.

33 Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.

34 Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.

35 By finding me, you find life,
and the [Lord] will be pleased
with you.

36 But if you don't find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.