Proverbs 8
1 It is as if wisdom, with great understanding [of many things], is calling [PRS] out [to people].
Thou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee.
2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.
For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.
3 [Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,
For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, [saying],
4 “I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!
You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice 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 ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.
6 Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.
Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn [truths]; and will produce right [sayings] from my lips.
7 I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.
For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me.
8 Everything that I say is honest; there is nothing that I say that deceives [people].
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong 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 evident to those that understand, and right to those that 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 instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.
11 because wisdom is more valuable than jewels. Nothing that you desire [is as valuable] as being wise.
For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
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 have dwelt [with] counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.
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].
The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.
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 safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine.
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 princes decree justice.
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 nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.
17 I, [wisdom], love [all] those who love me, and [all] those who truly seek me [will] find me.
I love those that love me; and they that seek me 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.
Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.
19 What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.
[It is] better to have my fruit than [to have] gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.
20 I always do what is righteous and just/fair.
I walk in ways of righteousness, and [am] conversant with the paths of judgment;
21 I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.
that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things. If I declare to you the things that daily happen, I will remember [also] to recount the things of old.
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 made me the beginning of his ways for his works.
23 He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.
He established me before time [was] in the beginning, before he made the earth:
24 I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.
even before he made the depths; before the fountains of water came forth:
25 I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;
before the mountains were settled, and before all hills, he begets me.
26 [I, wisdom], was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.
The Lord made countries and uninhabited [tracks], and the highest inhabited parts of the world.
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.
When he prepared the heaven, I was present with him; and when he prepared his throne upon the winds:
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.
and when he strengthened the clouds above; and when he secured the fountains of the earth:
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.
decree. and when he strengthened 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.
I was by him, suiting [myself to him], I was that wherein he took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presence continually.
31 I was delighted with the world that he created; I was happy with the people whom he created, too.
For he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children 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 then, [my] son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;
33 Listen [carefully] to what I teach you and become wise. Do not reject my teaching!
[Hear wisdom and be wise, and ] [be not strangers to 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].
watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.
35 Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.
For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and [in them] is prepared favour from 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 they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.
