Proverbs 8
1Does not wisdom cry out? 2 Does not understanding raise her voice? 1
2On the top of high places by the way, 2 where the paths meet, she stands. 1
3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, 2 at the entry doors, she cries aloud: 1
4“To you men, I call! 2 I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 1
5You simple, understand prudence. 2 You fools, be of an understanding heart. 1
6Sh'ma ·Hear obey·, for I will speak excellent things. 2 The opening of my lips is for right things. 1
7For my mouth speaks truth. 2 Ethical wickednessis an abomination to my lips. 1
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. 2 There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 1
9They are all plain to him who understands, 2 right to those who find knowledge. 1
10Receive my instruction rather than silver; 2 knowledge rather than choice gold. 1
11For wisdom is better than rubies. 2 All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it. 1
12“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. 2 Find out knowledge and discretion. 1
13The fear of Adonai is to hate evil. 2 I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. 1
14Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. 2 I have understanding and power. 1
15By me kings reign, 2 and princes decree justice. 1
16By me princes rule; 2 nobles, and all the upright rulers of the earth. 1
17I 'ahav ·affectionately love· those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· me. 2 Those who seek me diligently will find me. 1
18With me are riches, kavod ·weighty glory·, 2 enduring wealth, and prosperity. 1
19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; 2 my yield than choice silver. 1
20I walk in the way of righteousness, 2 in the middle of the paths of mishpat ·justice·; 1
21That I may give wealth to those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· me. 2 I fill their treasuries. 1
22+ 8:22 (22-23) MP: This prophecy is debated between Jewish and Christian interpretations. Jewish: Wisdom in Proverbs refers to Torah itself, and therefore God’s Wisdom revealed in Torah was before the creation in (Gen 1:1). Christian: Messiah is from everlasting, for he is the incarnate wisdom of God. Therefore wisdom in Proverbs refers to Messiah. OUSB Proposed: The two perspectives can be reconciled if Messiah is not wisdom itself, rather the fullness of the wisdom expressed in the Living Torah ·Teachings·. (John 17:5, 17:24; 1 Cor 1:24; Col 1:15-17) “ Adonai possessed me in the beginning of his work, 2 before his deeds of old. 1
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, 2 before the earth existed. 1
24When there were no depths, I was born, 2 when there were no springs abounding with water. 1
25Before the mountains were settled in place, 2 before the hills, I was born; 1
26while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, 2 nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 1
27When he established the heavens, I was there; 2 when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, 1
28when he established the clouds above, 2 when the springs of the deep became strong, 1
29when he gave to the sea its boundary by his statute, 2 that the waters should not violate the word of his mouth, 2 when he marked out the foundations of the earth; 1
30then I was the craftsman by his side. 2 I was a delight day by day, 2 always rejoicing before him, 1
31Rejoicing in his whole world. 2 My delight was with the sons of men. 1
32“Now therefore, my sons, sh'ma ·hear obey· unto me, 2 for blessed are those who keep my ways. 1
33Sh'ma ·Hear obey· instruction, and be wise. 2 Don’t refuse it. 1
34Blessed is the man who sh'ma ·hears obeys· me, 2 watching daily at my gates, 2 waiting at my door posts. 1
35For whoever finds me, finds life, 2 and will obtain favor from Adonai. 1
36But he who sins ·errs (the standard goal)· against me wrongs his own soul. 2 All those who hate me 'ahav ·affectionately love· death.”