Proverbs 8
The Appeal of Wisdom1
Does not understanding raise her voice?
8:2 At the top2 of the elevated places along the way,
at the intersection3 of the paths she takes her stand;
8:3 beside the gates opening into4 the city,
at the entrance of the doorways she cries out:5
8:4 “To you, O people,6 I call out,
and my voice calls7 to all mankind.8
8:5 You who are naive, discern9 wisdom!
And you fools, understand discernment!10
8:6 Listen, for I will speak excellent things,11
and my lips will utter12 what is right.
8:7 For my mouth13 speaks truth,14
and my lips15 hate wickedness.16
8:8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;17
there is nothing in them twisted18 or crooked.
8:9 All of them are clear19 to the discerning
and upright to those who find knowledge.
8:10 Receive my instruction20 rather than21 silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
and desirable things cannot be compared22 to her.
8:12 “I, wisdom, live with prudence,23
and I find24 knowledge and discretion.
8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate25 evil;
I hate arrogant pride26 and the evil way
and perverse utterances.27
8:14 Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me;28
I possess understanding and might.
8:15 Kings reign by means of me,
and potentates29 decree30 righteousness;
as well as nobles and31 all righteous judges.32
8:17 I love33 those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
8:18 Riches and honor are with me,
long-lasting wealth and righteousness.
8:19 My fruit is better than the purest gold,34
and what I produce35 is better than choice silver.
8:20 I walk in the path of righteousness,
in the pathway of justice,
8:21 that I may cause36 those who love me to inherit wealth,
and that I may fill37 their treasuries.38
8:22 The Lord created39 me as the beginning40 of his works,41
before his deeds of long ago.
8:23 From eternity I was appointed,42
from the beginning, from before the world existed.43
8:24 When there were no deep oceans44 I was born,45
when there were no springs overflowing46 with water;
8:25 before the mountains were set in place –
before the hills – I was born,
8:26 before he made the earth and its fields,47
or the beginning48 of the dust of the world.
8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he marked out the horizon49 over the face of the deep,
8:28 when he established the clouds above,
when the fountains of the deep grew strong,50
8:29 when he gave the sea his decree
that the waters should not pass over his command,51
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
8:30 then I was52 beside him as a master craftsman,53
and I was his delight54 day by day,
rejoicing before him at all times,
8:31 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth,55
and delighting56 in its people.57
8:32 “So now, children,58 listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33 Listen to my instruction59 so that you may be wise,60
and do not neglect it.
8:34 Blessed is the one61 who listens to me,
watching62 at my doors day by day,
waiting63 beside my doorway.64
8:35 For the one who finds me finds65 life
and receives66 favor from the Lord.
8:36 But the one who does not find me67 brings harm68 to himself;69
all who hate me70 love death.”