Proverbs 8
1 It is as if wisdom, with great understanding [of many things], is calling [PRS] out [to people].
Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.
On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.
3 [Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,
Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:
4 “I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!
“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
5 You people who do not know how to do things that are smart to do, get sound judgment; you foolish people, get good understanding!
O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
6 Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
7 I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.
For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 Everything that I say is honest; there is nothing that I say that deceives [people].
All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.
9 My words are clear to those who have good sense; those who are wise know that what I say is right.
They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.
10 [If someone offers you the kind of teaching I give] or offers you silver, choose my teaching. [If he offers to show you how to be wise] or offers you gold, choose to know how to be wise,
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 because wisdom is more valuable than jewels. Nothing that you desire [is as valuable] as being wise.
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
12 I, wisdom, and understanding of what is smart to do, cannot be separated. We are like two people who live in the same house. I know how to be wise and how to make smart decisions.
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 [All the people] who revere Yahweh hate evil. I, wisdom, hate [people who are] proud and [people] who think they are more important [than others]. I hate [people who] behave in an evil way and those who say things to deceive [others].
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
14 I give [people] good advice and I enable them to do things that are wise. I understand how things really are, and I am strong.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
15 When kings are wise, they rule [well]; and when rulers are wise, they make laws that are just/fair.
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
16 Rulers govern their people with the help of me, wisdom, and those who have authority decide things fairly/just with my help.
By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.
17 I, [wisdom], love [all] those who love me, and [all] those who truly seek me [will] find me.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
18 I enable [people] to become rich and to be honored; [I enable them to have] wealth that will last and to be successful.
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.
My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
20 I always do what is righteous and just/fair.
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.
bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22 Yahweh created me, [wisdom], when he began [to create the world]; he created me [to do my work] before he created anything else.
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
23 He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.
From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.
When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.
25 I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 [I, wisdom], was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.
before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when Yahweh put the sky in place, when he marked the place [in the distance] where the sky and the oceans [seem to] come together.
I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 I was there when Yahweh put the clouds above [the earth] and when he caused the water that is inside the earth to be secure.
when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,
29 I was there when he fixed a boundary for the seas, so that the water in the seas would not go past those boundaries, and when he put down the foundations which support the earth.
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 I was at the side of Yahweh, the master worker (OR, as though I was his child). I caused him to be happy every day, and I was always rejoicing when I was with him.
Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.
31 I was delighted with the world that he created; I was happy with the people whom he created, too.
I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.
32 So, [you people who are like] my sons, listen to me. [I am] pleased with [all] those who obey my teachings.
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen [carefully] to what I teach you and become wise. Do not reject my teaching!
Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 [I am] pleased with those who listen to me, those who are outside my house every day, waiting [for me to come out].
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
35 Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
36 But those who stray away from me [just] harm themselves. All those who hate me, [it is as though] [IRO] they are loving death.”
But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
