Proverbs 8
8
In Praise of Wisdom
1 #
Pr 1.20,21. With great understanding,
Wisdom#8.1 Wisdom: See the note at 1.20. is calling out
2as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.
3She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:
4“I am calling out
to each one of you!
5Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.
6Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.
7I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.
8Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.
9“If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.
10Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you than silver
or the finest gold.
11 #
Si 24.1-22. Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.”
Wisdom Speaks
12I am Wisdom#8.12 Wisdom: See the note at 1.20.—Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.
13If you respect the Lord,
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.
14I am strong, and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.
15By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.
16Every honest leader rules
with help from me.
17I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.
18I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.
19What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.
20I always do what is right,
21and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.
22 #
Si 1.4,9; Rev 3.14. From the beginning,
I was with the Lord.#8.22 From the beginning … with the Lord: Or “In the very beginning, the Lord created me.”
I was there before he began
23to create the earth.
At the very first,
the Lord gave life to#8.23 gave life to: Or “formed.” me.
24When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.
25My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.
26It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.
27 #
Ws 9.9; Si 24.3-6. I was there when the Lord
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
28I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
29I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
30I was right beside the Lord,
helping him plan and build.#8.30 helping … build: Or “like his own child.”
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
31I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
32 #
Si 14.20-27. Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
33Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.
34Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.
35By finding me, you find life,
and the Lord will be pleased
with you.
36But if you don't find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 8
8
Wisdom and Folly
1Doth not wisdom cry?
And understanding put forth her voice?
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way
In the places of the paths.
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the coming in at the doors.
4Unto you, O men, I call;
And my voice is to the sons of man.
5O ye simple, understand wisdom:
And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;
And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth shall speak truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth,
And right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver;
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:
Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
And the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding; I have strength.
15By me kings reign,
And princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule,
And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17I love them that love me;
And those that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honour are with me;
Yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
And my revenue than choice silver.
20I lead in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of judgment:
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
And I will fill their treasures.
22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way,
Before his works of old.
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
Or ever the earth was.
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth;
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills was I brought forth:
26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there:
When he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28When he established the clouds above:
When he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29When he gave to the sea his decree,
That the waters should not pass his commandment:
When he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him:
And I was daily his delight,
Rejoicing always before him;
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth;
And my delights were with the sons of men.
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:
For blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise,
And refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life,
And shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
All they that hate me love death.
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