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