Proverbs 8
1 Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?
Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice?
2 On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.
Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths.
3 Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:
Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying:
4 “I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!
O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
5 If you're immature, learn how to grow up. If you're stupid, learn what makes good sense.
O little ones, understand subtilty, and ye unwise, take notice.
6 Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.
7 I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.
My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.
8 All the words I say are true; none are false or misleading.
All my words are just, there is nothing wicked nor perverse in them.
9 My words are straightforward to anyone with understanding; they are correct to those who have knowledge.
They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction over silver; choose knowledge over pure gold.
Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.
11 For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.
12 I, wisdom, am at home with good decisions. I know how to find knowledge and discernment.
I wisdom dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts.
13 Honoring the Lord means hating evil. So I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behavior and telling lies.
The fear of the Lord hateth evil: I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.
14 I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.
Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.
15 It's because of me that kings reign, and rulers issue fair decrees.
By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things,
16 It's because of me that leaders and nobles govern—all who rule justly.
By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.
17 I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.
I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.
18 With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.
19 The fruit I produce is better than gold, even pure gold, and my harvest is better than even the best silver.
For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.
20 I live in a way that's right; I follow the paths of justice.
I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
21 I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.
22 The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning.
23 I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.
I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made.
24 I was born when there were no ocean depths, when there were no springs pouring out water.
The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out:
25 I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,
The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:
26 when he hadn't made the earth and its fields or any of the earth's dust.
He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
27 I was there when he placed the heavens in position, when he drew the horizon over the ocean,
When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths:
28 when he made the clouds in the sky above, when he created the springs of the oceans,
When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:
29 when he set limits on the sea so that the waters would not go farther than he ordered, and when he laid out the foundations of the earth.
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;
30 Then I was beside him as a master craftsman. I made him happy every day, and I was always full of joy in his presence.
I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times;
31 I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.
Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.
32 And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.
Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise—do not reject it.
Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me every day at my doors, waiting at my entrance way.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.
35 For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.
He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord:
36 But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”
But he that shall sin against me, shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death.
