Proverbs 8
1 Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?
Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.
She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:
She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 “I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!
To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 If you're immature, learn how to grow up. If you're stupid, learn what makes good sense.
O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.
6 Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words I say are true; none are false or misleading.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing fraudulent or perverse in them.
9 My words are straightforward to anyone with understanding; they are correct to those who have knowledge.
They are all plain to him that understands, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction over silver; choose knowledge over pure gold.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I, wisdom, am at home with good decisions. I know how to find knowledge and discernment.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 Honoring the Lord means hating evil. So I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behavior and telling lies.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the fraudulent mouth, do I hate.
14 I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 It's because of me that kings reign, and rulers issue fair decrees.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 It's because of me that leaders and nobles govern—all who rule justly.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
Riches and honor are with me; yes, durable riches and righteousness.
19 The fruit I produce is better than gold, even pure gold, and my harvest is better than even the best silver.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I live in a way that's right; I follow the paths of justice.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment:
21 I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will 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 way, before his works of old.
23 I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 I was born when there were no ocean depths, when there were no springs pouring out water.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 when he hadn't made the earth and its fields or any of the earth's dust.
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust 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 there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth:
28 when he made the clouds in the sky above, when he created the springs of the oceans,
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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 gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed 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.
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.
Now therefore listen to me, O you children: for 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 hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.
For whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.
36 But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”
But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
