Proverbs 8
1 It is as if wisdom, with great understanding [of many things], is calling [PRS] out [to people].
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 [Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4 “I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!
“I call to you men! I send my voice to 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 simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6 Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7 I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination 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 in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
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 him who understands, right 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 rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 because wisdom is more valuable than jewels. Nothing that you desire [is as valuable] as being wise.
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to 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 made prudence my dwelling. Find out 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, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
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 knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
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 princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
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. Those who seek me diligently will 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, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19 What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20 I always do what is righteous and just/fair.
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21 I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill 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 possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23 He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24 I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;
Before the mountains were settled in place, 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.
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust 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 established the heavens, I was there. When he set 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.
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
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 gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, 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 the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by 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.
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with 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!
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse 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 hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35 Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from 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 sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
