Proverbs 8
1Does not Wisdom call out? 1 Does not Understanding raise her voice? 1
2On the hilltops beside the road, 1 at the crossroads, Wisdom has taken her stand. 1
3Before the gates at the entrance into the city, 1 at the entrances into the city, she calls out. 1
4“It is to you, people, that I call; 1 my voice is for the sons of mankind. 1
5You who are naive, learn wisdom; 1 and you who are foolish, you must get an understanding mind. 1
6Listen, because I will speak of noble things, 1 and when my lips open I will say upright things. 1
7For my mouth speaks what is trustworthy, 1 and wickedness is disgusting to my lips. 1
8All the words of my mouth are just; 1 in them is nothing twisted or misleading. 1
9All of them are straight for the person who understands; 1 my words are upright for those who find knowledge. 1
10Acquire my instruction rather than silver; 1 acquire knowledge rather than pure gold. 1
11For Wisdom is better than jewels; 1 no treasure is equal to her. 1
12I, Wisdom, live with Prudence, 1 and I possess knowledge and discretion. 1
13The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. 1 I hate pride and arrogance, the evil way, 1 and perverted speech. I hate them. 1
14I have good advice and sound wisdom; 1 I am insight; strength belongs to me. 1
15By me kings reign, and rulers make laws that are just. 1
16By me princes rule, 1 nobles, and all who govern with justice. 1
17I love those who love me, 1 and those who diligently seek me, find me. 1
18With me are riches and honor, 1 lasting wealth and righteousness. 1
19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold; 1 my produce is better than pure silver. 1
20I walk in the path of righteousness, 1 in the midst of the paths of justice. 1
21As a result, I make those who love me inherit wealth; 1 I fill up their treasuries. 1
22Yahweh created me at the beginning, 1 the first of his deeds then. 1
23In ages long ago I was made—from the first, 1 from the beginnings of the earth. 1
24Before there were oceans, I was given birth— 1 before there were springs abounding with water. 1
25Before the mountains were settled 1 and before the hills, I was born. 1
26I was born before Yahweh had made the earth or the fields, 1 or even the first dust in the world. 1
27I was there when he established the heavens, 1 when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep. 1
28I was there when he established the clouds above and 1 when the springs in the deep became fixed. 1
29I was there when he made his limit for the sea, 1 so the waters should not spread beyond his command, 1 and when there was set the limit for the foundations of the dry land. 1
30I was beside him, as a skilled craftsman; 1 I was his delight day after day, 1 always rejoicing before him. 1
31I was rejoicing in his whole world, 1 and my delight was in the sons of mankind. 1
32Now, my sons, listen to me, 1 for those who keep my ways will be blessed. 1
33Listen to my instruction and be wise; 1 do not neglect it. 1
34The one who listens to me will be blessed. 1 He will be watching every day at my doors, 1 waiting beside the posts of my doors. 1
35For whoever finds me, finds life, 1 and he will find the favor of Yahweh. 1
36But he who fails, harms his own life; 1 all who hate me love death.”