Proverbs — Chapter 8

¹Doesn`t wisdom cry out? Doesn`t understanding raise her voice?

²On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she stands.

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

⁴"To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

⁵You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.

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

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

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

⁹They are all plain to him who understands, Right to those who find knowledge.

¹⁰Receive my instruction rather than silver; Knowledge rather than choice gold.

¹¹For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can`t be compared to it.

¹²"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

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

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

¹⁵By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

¹⁶By me princes rule; Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

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

¹⁸With me are riches, honor, Enduring wealth, and prosperity.

¹⁹My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver.

²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;

²¹That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

²²"Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, Before his deeds of old.

²³I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth existed.

²⁴When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.

²⁵Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth;

²⁶While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

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

²⁸When he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong,

²⁹When he gave to the sea its boundary, That the waters should not violate his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;

³⁰Then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before him,

³¹Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

³²"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

³³Hear instruction, and be wise, Don`t refuse it.

³⁴Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts.

³⁵For whoever finds me, finds life, And will obtain favor from Yahweh.

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