Proverbs 8
1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?
2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:
4 “I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
“I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!
5 You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be 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 I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
All the words I say are true; none are false or misleading.
9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
My words are straightforward to anyone with understanding; they are correct to those who have knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
Choose my instruction over silver; choose knowledge over pure gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
12 “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
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. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
Honoring the Lord means hating evil. So I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behavior and telling lies.
14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
It's because of me that kings reign, and rulers issue fair decrees.
16 By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
It's because of me that leaders and nobles govern—all who rule justly.
17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.
18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield 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 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
I live in a way that's right; I follow the paths of justice.
21 that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
22 “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.
24 When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
I was born when there were no ocean depths, when there were no springs pouring out water.
25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,
26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning 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 established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
I was there when he placed the heavens in position, when he drew the horizon over the ocean,
28 when he established the clouds 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 gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out 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 I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
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 rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.
32 “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
Listen to my instruction and be wise—do not reject it.
34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me every day at my doors, waiting at my entrance way.
35 For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”
