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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Proverbs 8: ERV
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