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? Does not Understanding raise her voice?

2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.

On the hilltops beside the road, at the crossroads, Wisdom has taken her stand.

3 [Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,

Before the gates at the entrance into the city, at the entrances into the city, she calls out.

4 “I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!

“It is to you, people, that I call; my voice is for the sons of mankind.

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!

You who are naive, learn wisdom; and you who are foolish, you must get an understanding mind.

6 Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.

Listen, because I will speak of noble things, and when my lips open I will say upright things.

7 I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.

For my mouth speaks what is trustworthy, and wickedness is disgusting 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 just; in them is nothing twisted or misleading.

9 My words are clear to those who have good sense; those who are wise know that what I say is right.

All of them are straight for the person who understands; my words are upright for 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,

Acquire my instruction rather than silver; acquire 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 better than jewels; no treasure is equal to 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, live with Prudence, and I possess 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].

The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, the evil way, and perverted speech. I hate them.

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.

I have good advice and sound wisdom; I am insight; strength belongs to me.

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 make laws that are just.

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, nobles, and all who govern with justice.

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 diligently seek me, 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, lasting 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, even fine gold; my produce is better than pure silver.

20 I always do what is righteous and just/fair.

I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice.

21 I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.

As a result, I make those who love me inherit wealth; I fill up their treasuries.

22 Yahweh created me, [wisdom], when he began [to create the world]; he created me [to do my work] before he created anything else.

Yahweh created me at the beginning, the first of his deeds then.

23 He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.

In ages long ago I was made—from the first, from the beginnings of the earth.

24 I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.

Before there were oceans, I was given birth— before there were springs abounding with water.

25 I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;

Before the mountains were settled and before the hills, I was born.

26 [I, wisdom], was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.

I was born before Yahweh had made the earth or the fields, or even the first dust in 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.

I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew a circle on the surface 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.

I was there when he established the clouds above and when the springs in the deep became fixed.

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.

I was there when he made his limit for the sea, so the waters should not spread beyond his command, and when there was set the limit for the foundations of the dry land.

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 beside him, as a skilled craftsman; I was his delight day after day, always rejoicing before him.

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, and my delight was in the sons of mankind.

32 So, [you people who are like] my sons, listen to me. [I am] pleased with [all] those who obey my teachings.

Now, my sons, listen to me, for those who keep my ways will be blessed.

33 Listen [carefully] to what I teach you and become wise. Do not reject my teaching!

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not neglect 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].

The one who listens to me will be blessed. He will be watching every day at my doors, waiting beside the posts of my doors.

35 Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.

For whoever finds me, finds life, and he will find the favor of Yahweh.

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, harms his own life; all who hate me love death.”