Proverbs 8

The Blessings of Wisdom

1  Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2  On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3  beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4  "To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
5  O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
6  Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
7  for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8  All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9  They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10  Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11  for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

12  "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13  The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
14  I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
15  By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16  by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.t
17  I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18  Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20  I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21  granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.

22  "The Lord possessedt me at the beginning of his work,t
the first of his acts of old.
23  Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24  When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25  Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26  before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27  When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28  when he made firm the skies above,
when he establishedt the fountains of the deep,
29  when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30  then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily hist delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31  rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

32  "And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33  Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34  Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35  For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
36  but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death."

Proverbs 8

In praise of wisdom

1 With great understanding,t
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 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 From the beginning,t
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 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 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.