Proverbs 8
8
Wisdom’s autobiography
1Doesn’t Wisdom cry out
and Understanding shout?
2Atop the heights along the path,
at the crossroads she takes her stand.
3By the gate before the city,
at the entrances she shouts:
4I cry out to you, people;
my voice goes out to all of humanity.
5Understand skill, you who are naive.
Take this to heart, you fools.
6Listen, for I speak things that are correct;
from my lips comes what is right.
7My mouth utters the truth;
my lips despise wickedness.
8All the words of my mouth are righteous;
nothing in them is twisted or crooked.
9All of them are straightforward to those who understand,
and upright for the knowledgeable.
10Take my instruction rather than silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold.
11Wisdom is better than pearls;
nothing is more delightful than she.
12I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence;
I have found knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil.
I hate pride and arrogance,
the path of evil and corrupt speech.
14I have advice and ability,
as well as understanding and strength.
15By me kings rule,
and princes issue righteous decrees.
16By me rulers govern,
and officials judge righteously.#8.16 Heb uncertain
17I love those who love me;
those who seek me will find me.
18Riches and honor are with me,
as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
my crops are better than choice silver.
20I walk on the way of righteousness,
on the paths of justice,
21to provide for those who love me
and to fill up their treasuries.
22The LORD created me at the beginning of his way,
before his deeds long in the past.
23I was formed in ancient times,
at the beginning, before the earth was.
24When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,
when there were no springs flowing with water.
25Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
26before God#8.26 Heb lacks God. made the earth and the fields
or the first of the dry land.
27I was there when he established the heavens,
when he marked out the horizon on the deep sea,
28when he thickened the clouds above,
when he secured the fountains of the deep,
29when he set a limit for the sea,
so the water couldn’t go beyond his command,
when he marked out the earth’s foundations.
30I was beside him as a master of crafts.#8.30 Heb uncertain
I was having fun,
smiling before him all the time,
31frolicking with his inhabited earth
and delighting in the human race.
32Now children, listen to me:
Happy are those who keep to my ways!
33Listen to instruction, and be wise;
don’t avoid it.
34Happy are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorposts.
35Those who find me find life;
they gain favor from the LORD.
36Those who offend me injure themselves;
all those who hate me love death.
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Proverbs 8: CEB
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