Proverbs 8
1 Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2 On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4 “I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5 If you're immature, learn how to grow up. If you're stupid, learn what makes good sense.
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6 Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7 I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.
For my mouth speaks truth. 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 crooked 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 who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction over silver; choose knowledge over pure gold.
Receive my instruction rather than silver, 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. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
12 I, wisdom, am at home with good decisions. I know how to find knowledge and discernment.
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
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. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14 I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
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, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
With me are riches, honour, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
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, my yield than choice silver.
20 I live in a way that's right; I follow the paths of justice.
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21 I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
22 The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds 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, before the earth existed.
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 born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
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 beginning 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 established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
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 the springs of the deep became strong,
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 its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out 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 the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31 I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
32 And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise—do not reject it.
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
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 who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35 For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favour from the LORD.
36 But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
