Proverbs 8
8
Wisdom’s Call
1Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4“To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.#8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.#8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
17I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,#8:22 Or way; or dominion#8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
before his deeds of old;
23I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was constantly#8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32“Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 8
8
Wisdom—the Good Woman
1Listen, Wisdom is calling.
Yes, Understanding is shouting for us.
2Wisdom stands at the top of the hill,
by the road where the paths meet.
3She is near the entrance to the city,
calling from the open gates.
4“I am calling out to all of you.
I am speaking to everyone.
5You who are ignorant, learn to be wise.
You who are foolish, get some common sense.
6Listen, I have something important to say,
and I am telling you what is right.
7My words are true,
and I will not say anything that is wrong.
8Everything I say is right;
there is nothing false or crooked about it.
9These things are clear to any intelligent person.
They are right to anyone with knowledge.
10Choose discipline over silver
and knowledge over the finest gold.
11Wisdom is better than pearls,
and nothing you desire compares with her.
The Value of Wisdom
12“I am Wisdom.
I live with Good Judgment.
I am at home with Knowledge and Planning.
13To respect the Lord means to hate evil.
I hate pride and boasting,
evil lives and hurtful words.
14I have good advice and common sense to offer.
I have understanding and power.
15With my help kings rule,
and governors make good laws.
16With my help leaders govern,
and important officials make good decisions.#8:16 and important … decisions The Greek version and some Hebrew copies have “as well as important officials, all the judges on earth.”
17I love those who love me,
and those who look for me will find me.
18With me there are riches and honor.
I have lasting wealth to give to you.
19What I give is better than fine gold.
What I produce is better than pure silver.
20I lead people the right way—
along the paths of justice.
21I give riches to those who love me,
and I fill their houses with treasures.
22“The Lord made me in the beginning,
long before he did anything else.
23I was formed a long time ago,
before the world was made.
24I was born before there was an ocean,
before the springs began to flow.
25I was born before the mountains and hills
were set into place,
26before the earth and fields were made,
before the dust of this world was formed.
27I was there when he set up the skies,
when he drew a circle in the ocean to make a place for the land.
28I was there when he put the clouds in the sky
and made the deep springs flow.
29I was there when he set the limits on the sea
to make it stop where he said.
I was there when he laid the foundations of the earth.
30I grew up as a child by his side,#8:30 I grew … his side Or “I was beside him like a skilled worker.”
laughing and playing all the time.
31I played in the world he made
and enjoyed the people he put there.
32“Now, children, listen to me.
If you follow my ways,
you will be happy too.
33Listen to my teaching and be wise;
don’t ignore what I say.
34Whoever waits at my door
and listens for me will be blessed.
35Those who find me find life,
and the Lord will reward them.
36But those who do not find me put their lives in danger.
Whoever hates me loves death.”
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