Proverbs 8

1 Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice?

2 On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth;

3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

4 Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For my mouth shall utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.

12 I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling, And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might.

15 By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.

18 Riches and honor are with me; Yea, durable wealth and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries.

22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth;

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,

28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong,

29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;

30 Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him,

31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me; For blessed are they that keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not.

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favor of Jehovah.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that 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.