Amsal 8
1 Dengar! Kebijaksanaan berseru-seru, hikmat mengangkat suara.
Does not wisdom cry out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 Ia berdiri di bukit-bukit di sisi jalan, dan di persimpangan-persimpangan.
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 Di pintu gerbang, di jalan masuk ke kota, di situlah terdengar suaranya.
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4 "Hai, umat manusia, kepadamu aku berseru; setiap insan di bumi, perhatikanlah himbauanku!
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5 Kamu yang belum berpengalaman, belajarlah mempunyai pikiran yang tajam; kamu yang bebal, belajarlah menjadi insaf.
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6 Perhatikanlah perkataan-perkataanku, karena semuanya tepat dan bermutu.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7 Yang kukatakan, betul semua, sebab aku benci kepada dusta.
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 Perkataan-perkataanku jujur semua, tak satu pun yang berbelit atau salah.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9 Bagi orang cerdas, perkataanku benar, bagi orang yang arif, perkataanku tepat.
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10 Hargailah nasihatku melebihi perak asli, pentingkanlah pengetahuan melebihi emas murni.
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 Akulah hikmat, lebih berharga dari berlian; tak dapat dibandingkan dengan apa pun yang kauidamkan.
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired cannot be compared to it.
12 Akulah hikmat; padaku ada pengertian, kebijaksanaan dan pengetahuan.
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13 Menghormati TUHAN berarti membenci kejahatan; aku tidak menyukai kesombongan dan keangkuhan. Aku benci tingkah laku yang jahat dan kata-kata tipu muslihat.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14 Akulah yang memberi ilham. Dan aku juga yang mewujudkannya. Aku cerdas dan kuat pula.
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15 Raja-raja kubantu menjalankan pemerintahan, para penguasa kutolong menegakkan keadilan.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 Karena jasaku, para pembesar dan para bangsawan memerintah dan menjalankan keadilan.
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17 Aku mengasihi mereka yang suka kepadaku; yang mencari aku, akan menemukan aku.
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Padaku tersedia kekayaan juga kehormatan dan kemakmuran.
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19 Yang kaudapat dari aku melebihi emas murni; lebih berharga dari perak asli.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20 Aku mengikuti jalan keadilan, aku melangkah di jalan kejujuran.
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21 Orang yang mengasihi aku, kujadikan kaya; kupenuhi rumahnya dengan harta benda.
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
22 Aku diciptakan TUHAN sebagai yang pertama, akulah hasil karya-Nya yang semula pada zaman dahulu kala.
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23 Aku dibentuk sejak permulaan zaman, pada mulanya, sebelum bumi diciptakan.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24 Aku lahir sebelum tercipta samudra raya, sebelum muncul sumber-sumber air.
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Aku lahir sebelum gunung-gunung ditegakkan, sebelum bukit-bukit didirikan,
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26 sebelum TUHAN menciptakan bumi dan padang-padangnya, bahkan sebelum diciptakan-Nya gumpalan tanah yang pertama.
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27 Aku menyaksikan ketika langit dihamparkan, dan cakrawala direntangkan di atas lautan,
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
28 ketika TUHAN menempatkan awan di angkasa, dan membuka sumber-sumber samudra,
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
29 ketika Ia memerintahkan air laut supaya jangan melewati batas-batasnya. Aku pun turut hadir di sana ketika alas bumi diletakkan-Nya.
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 Aku berada di samping-Nya sebagai anak kesayangan-Nya, setiap hari akulah kebahagiaan-Nya; selalu aku bermain-main di hadapan-Nya.
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31 Aku bersenang-senang di atas bumi-Nya, dan merasa bahagia di antara manusia.
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
32 Karena itu, dengarkanlah aku, hai orang muda! Turutilah petunjukku, maka kau akan bahagia.
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Terimalah petuah dan jadilah bijaksana, janganlah engkau meremehkannya.
Hear instruction, and be wise. Do not refuse it.
34 Bahagialah orang yang mendengarkan aku yang setiap hari duduk menanti di pintu rumahku, dan berjaga-jaga di gerbang kediamanku.
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35 Siapa mendapat aku, memperoleh kehidupan, kepadanya TUHAN berkenan.
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36 Siapa tidak mendapat aku, merugikan diri sendiri; orang yang membenciku, mencintai maut."
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
