Proverbs 8
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v1
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
v2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
v3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
v4
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
v5
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
v6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
v7
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
v8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
v9
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
v10
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
v11
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
v12
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
v13
The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
v14
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
v15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
v16
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
v17
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
v18
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
v19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
v20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
v21
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
v22
“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
v23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
v24
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
v25
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
v26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
v27
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
v28
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
v29
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,
v30
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
v31
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
v32
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
v33
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
v34
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
v35
For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
v36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”