Pro Proverbs, chapter Proverbs of Solomon, chapter 8
The Commendation of Wisdom
Does not wisdom call,
And understanding 8:1 Lit giveraise her voice?Mat 11:19; 1Co 1:24
On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
“To you, people, I call,
And my voice is to 8:4 Lit sons of mankindmankind.
“You naive ones, understand prudence;
And, you fools, understand 8:5 Lit heartwisdom!Psa 92:6
“Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.Mat 7:29
“For my mouth will proclaim truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.Jhn 8:46
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.Psa 12:6
“They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
“Accept my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold.Job 28:15; Pro 3:14
“For wisdom is better than 8:11 Lit coralsjewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.Job 28:16
¶“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.Luk 11:49
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride, arrogance, the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
“Advice is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
“By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.Gen 49:10; Dan 2:21; Rom 13:1
“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.Pro 3:16
“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold;
And my yield better than choice silver.Job 28:17
“I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.
¶“The Lord 8:22 Or possessedcreated me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works 8:22 Lit from thenof old.Jhn 1:1
“From eternity I was 8:23 Or consecratedestablished,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
“When there were no ocean depths, I was born,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;Psa 90:2; Psa 110:3
While He had not yet made the earth and the 8:26 Lit outside placesfields,
Nor the first dust of the world.
“When He established the heavens, I was there;
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became 8:28 Lit strongfixed,Job 26:8; Job 36:29
When He set a boundary for the sea
So that the water would not violate His 8:29 Lit mouthcommand,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;Job 38:10
Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was His delight daily,
8:30 Or PlayingRejoicing always before Him,Jhn 5:20
8:31 Or PlayingRejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of mankind.Jhn 1:10
¶“Now then, sons, listen to me,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.Psa 119:1; Luk 11:28
“Listen to instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
“Blessed is the person who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.Mrk 3:20
“For one who finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
“But one who 8:36 Or misses mesins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.”