Proverbs 8:1
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
Proverbs 8:2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
Proverbs 8:3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
Proverbs 8:4
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
Proverbs 8:5
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
Proverbs 8:6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Proverbs 8:7
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Proverbs 8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
Proverbs 8:9
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
Proverbs 8:12
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
Proverbs 8:14
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
Proverbs 8:15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Proverbs 8:16
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
Proverbs 8:18
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
Proverbs 8:19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
Proverbs 8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
Proverbs 8:21
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
Proverbs 8:22
“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
Proverbs 8:23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
Proverbs 8:24
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
Proverbs 8:25
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
Proverbs 8:26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
Proverbs 8:27
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
Proverbs 8:28
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
Proverbs 8:29
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,
Proverbs 8:30
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
Proverbs 8:31
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
Proverbs 8:32
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:33
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
Proverbs 8:36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”