Proverbs 8

Listen to Wisdom

1Like a person, wisdom calls out to you.

Understanding raises her voice.

2On the hilltops along the road

and at the crossroads, she stands calling.

3She stands beside the city gates.

At the entrances into the city, she calls out:

4“People, I’m calling out to you.

I am shouting to all people.

5You who do not know better, get the ability to think.

You who are foolish, get understanding.

6Listen. I have important things to say.

What I tell you is right.

7What I say is true.

I hate it when people speak evil.

8Everything I say is honest.

Nothing I say is crooked or false.

9People with good sense know that what I say is true.

People with knowledge know that my words are right.

10Choose my teachings instead of silver.

Choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.

11Wisdom is more precious than rubies.

Nothing you want is equal to it.

12“I am wisdom, and I have the ability to think.

I also have knowledge and good sense.

13If you respect the Lord, you also will hate evil.

It is wise to hate pride and bragging,

evil ways and lies.

14I have good sense and advice.

I have understanding and power.

15Kings use me to govern.

And rulers use me to make fair laws.

16Princes use me to lead.

So do important men and all good judges.

17I love those who love me.

Those who want me find me.

18Riches and honor are mine.

So are wealth and lasting success.

19What I give is better than the finest gold.

What I give is better than pure silver.

20I do what is right.

I do what is fair.

21I give wealth to those who love me.

I fill them with treasures.

22“I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work.

This was before he made anything else long ago.

23I was appointed in the very beginning,

even before the world began.

24I began before there were oceans.

There were no springs overflowing with water.

25I began before the hills were there.

The mountains had not even been put in place.

26God still had not made the earth or fields.

He had not even made the first dust of the earth.

27I was there when God put the skies in place,

when he stretched the horizon over the oceans.

28I was there when he made the clouds above.

I was there when he put the fountains in the oceans.

29I was there when he ordered the sea

not to go beyond the borders he had set for it.

I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.

30I was like a child by his side.

I was happy every day

and enjoyed being in his presence.

31I enjoyed the whole world.

And I was happy with all its people.

32“Now, my children, listen to me.

Those who follow my ways are happy.

33Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise.

Do not ignore it.

34Those who listen to me are happy.

They stand watching at my door every day.

They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.

35Whoever finds me finds life.

And the Lord will be pleased with him.

36Whoever does not find me hurts himself.

Those who hate me love death.”

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Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Announcement

1Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise its voice?

2 ⌞Wisdom⌟ takes its stand on high ground,

by the wayside where the roads meet,

3near the gates to the city.

At the entrance ⌞wisdom⌟ sings its song,

4“I am calling to all of you,

and my appeal is to all people.

5You gullible people, learn how to be sensible.

You fools, get a heart that has understanding.

6Listen! I am speaking about noble things,

and my lips will say what is right.

7My mouth expresses the truth,

and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.

8Everything I say is fair,

and there is nothing twisted or crooked in it.

9All of it is clear to a person who has understanding

and right to those who have acquired knowledge.

10Take my discipline, not silver,

and my knowledge rather than fine gold,

11because wisdom is better than jewels.

Nothing you desire can equal it.

Wisdom’s Authority

12“I, Wisdom, live with insight,

and I acquire knowledge and foresight.

13To fear the Lord is to hate evil.

I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and twisted speech.

14Advice and priceless wisdom are mine.

I, Understanding, have strength.

15Through me kings reign,

and rulers decree fair laws.

16Through me princes rule,

so do nobles and all fair judges.

17I love those who love me.

Those eagerly looking for me will find me.

18I have riches and honor,

lasting wealth and righteousness.

19What I produce is better than gold, pure gold.

What I yield is better than fine silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice,

21to give an inheritance to those who love me

and to fill their treasuries.

Wisdom as Creator

22“The Lord already possessed me long ago,

when his way began,

before any of his works.

23I was appointed from everlasting

from the first,

before the earth began.

24I was born

before there were oceans,

before there were springs filled with water.

25I was born

before the mountains were settled in their places

and before the hills,

26when he had not yet made land or fields

or the first dust of the world.

27“When he set up the heavens, I was there.

When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

28when he established the skies above,

when he determined the currents in the ocean,

29when he set a limit for the sea

so the waters would not overstep his command,

when he traced the foundations of the earth,

30I was beside him as a master craftsman.

I made him happy day after day,

I rejoiced in front of him all the time,

31found joy in his inhabited world, and delighted in the human race.

Wisdom as Lifegiver

32“Now, sons, listen to me.

Blessed are those who follow my ways.

33Listen to discipline, and become wise.

Do not leave my ways.

34Blessed is the person who listens to me,

watches at my door day after day,

and waits by my doorposts.

35Whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the Lord.

36Whoever sins against me harms himself.

All those who hate me love death.”

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