Proverbs 8
1 Behold, wisdom calleth, and understanding sendeth forth her voice,
Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?
2 On the top of high places, by the wayside, at the house where there are [many] paths doth she place herself.
On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.
3 Alongside of gates, at the opening of the city, at the entrance of the town[-doors] doth she call loudly,
Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:
4 Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice [goeth forth] to the sons of men,
“I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!
5 Learn, O ye simple, to understand prudence: 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 of noble things will I speak; and the opening of my lips shall be of what is equitable.
Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
7 For truth uttereth my palate ever, and the abomination of my lips is wickedness.
I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.
8 In righteousness are all the sayings of my mouth, there is in them nothing crooked or perverse.
All the words I say are true; none are false or misleading.
9 They are all evident to the man of understanding, and correct to those that have obtained knowledge.
My words are straightforward to anyone with understanding; they are correct to those who have knowledge.
10 Accept my correction, 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 pearls; and all the things that men wish for are not equal to her.
For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and the knowledge of discreet thoughts do I discover.
I, wisdom, am at home with good decisions. I know how to find knowledge and discernment.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance, and the evil way: and the mouth of perverseness do I hate.
Honoring the Lord means hating evil. So I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behavior and telling lies.
14 Mine are counsel and sound wisdom: I am understanding; mine is might.
I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.
15 Through me do kings reign, and chieftains give decrees [in] righteousness.
It's because of me that kings reign, and rulers issue fair decrees.
16 Through me do princes rule, and the nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
It's because of me that leaders and nobles govern—all who rule justly.
17 I indeed love those that love me: and those that seek me earnestly shall find me.
I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, yea, enduring wealth and righteousness.
With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than gold, and than fine gold; and my products, 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 On the road of righteousness do I walk firmly, in the midst the paths of justice:
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 a lasting possession; and their treasures will I fill
I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
22 The Lord created me as the beginning of his way, the first of his works from the commencement,
The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.
23 From eternity was I appointed chief, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.
24 When there were yet no depths, was I brought forth; when there were yet no springs laden heavily with water.
I was born when there were no ocean depths, when there were no springs pouring out water.
25 Before the mountains were yet sunk down, 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 land and open fields, nor the chief 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 drew a circle over the face of the deep;
I was there when he placed the heavens in position, when he drew the horizon over the ocean,
28 When he fastened the skies above; when the springs of the deep became strong;
when he made the clouds in the sky above, when he created the springs of the oceans,
29 When he assigned to the sea his decree, that the waters should not transgress his order: when he established firmly 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 was I near him, as a nursling: and I was day by day [his] delights, playing before him at all times;
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 Playing in the world, his earth; and having my delights with the sons of men.
I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.
32 And now, O children [of men], hearken unto me! for happy those that observe my ways.
And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.
33 Hear correction, and be wise, and reject it not.
Listen to my instruction and be wise—do not reject it.
34 Happy is the man that hearkeneth unto me, watching day by day 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 he who findeth me findeth life, and he obtaineth favor from the Lord.
For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.
36 But he that sinneth against me doth violence to his own soul: all those that hate me love death.
But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”
