Proverbs 8 ⓘ

8:1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

8:2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

8:3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

8:4 “I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

8:5 You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

8:6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

8:7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

8:9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

8:10 Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

8:12 “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

8:14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

8:16 By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

8:17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

8:18 With me are riches, honour, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

8:21 that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

8:22 “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

8:24 When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

8:26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

8:28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

8:29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

8:30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

8:31 rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

8:32 “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

8:35 For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favour from the LORD.

8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”