| 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 |
"To you men, I call! 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 Yahweh 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, honor, 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 midst of the paths of justice; |
| 8:21 |
That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. |
| 8:22 |
"Yahweh 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 brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. |
| 8:25 |
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth; |
| 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 favor from Yahweh. |
| 8:36 |
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death." |
