Proverbs 8

1 Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice?

It is as if wisdom, with great understanding [of many things], is calling [PRS] out [to people].

2 Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths.

Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.

3 Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying:

[Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,

4 O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

“I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!

5 O little ones, understand subtilty, and ye unwise, take notice.

You people who do not know how to do things that are smart to do, get sound judgment; you foolish people, get good understanding!

6 Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.

Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.

7 My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.

I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.

8 All my words are just, there is nothing wicked nor perverse in them.

Everything that I say is honest; there is nothing that I say that deceives [people].

9 They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.

My words are clear to those who have good sense; those who are wise know that what I say is right.

10 Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.

[If someone offers you the kind of teaching I give] or offers you silver, choose my teaching. [If he offers to show you how to be wise] or offers you gold, choose to know how to be wise,

11 For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.

because wisdom is more valuable than jewels. Nothing that you desire [is as valuable] as being wise.

12 I wisdom dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts.

I, wisdom, and understanding of what is smart to do, cannot be separated. We are like two people who live in the same house. I know how to be wise and how to make smart decisions.

13 The fear of the Lord hateth evil: I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.

[All the people] who revere Yahweh hate evil. I, wisdom, hate [people who are] proud and [people] who think they are more important [than others]. I hate [people who] behave in an evil way and those who say things to deceive [others].

14 Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.

I give [people] good advice and I enable them to do things that are wise. I understand how things really are, and I am strong.

15 By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things,

When kings are wise, they rule [well]; and when rulers are wise, they make laws that are just/fair.

16 By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.

Rulers govern their people with the help of me, wisdom, and those who have authority decide things fairly/just with my help.

17 I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.

I, [wisdom], love [all] those who love me, and [all] those who truly seek me [will] find me.

18 With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.

I enable [people] to become rich and to be honored; [I enable them to have] wealth that will last and to be successful.

19 For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.

What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.

20 I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,

I always do what is righteous and just/fair.

21 That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.

I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.

22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning.

Yahweh created me, [wisdom], when he began [to create the world]; he created me [to do my work] before he created anything else.

23 I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made.

He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.

24 The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out:

I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.

25 The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:

I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;

26 He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.

[I, wisdom], was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths:

I was there when Yahweh put the sky in place, when he marked the place [in the distance] where the sky and the oceans [seem to] come together.

28 When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:

I was there when Yahweh put the clouds above [the earth] and when he caused the water that is inside the earth to be secure.

29 When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when be balanced the foundations of the earth;

I was there when he fixed a boundary for the seas, so that the water in the seas would not go past those boundaries, and when he put down the foundations which support the earth.

30 I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times;

I was at the side of Yahweh, the master worker (OR, as though I was his child). I caused him to be happy every day, and I was always rejoicing when I was with him.

31 Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.

I was delighted with the world that he created; I was happy with the people whom he created, too.

32 Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways.

So, [you people who are like] my sons, listen to me. [I am] pleased with [all] those who obey my teachings.

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

Listen [carefully] to what I teach you and become wise. Do not reject my teaching!

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.

[I am] pleased with those who listen to me, those who are outside my house every day, waiting [for me to come out].

35 He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord:

Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.

36 But he that shall sin against me, shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death.

But those who stray away from me [just] harm themselves. All those who hate me, [it is as though] [IRO] they are loving death.”