Proverbs 8
1 Isn’t wisdom calling? Isn’t understanding raising her voice?
2 On the heights, beside the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, at the passageways, she cries out:
4 “To you, men, I call; my voice is addressed to all people.
5 You who are inexperienced, learn prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I speak noble things; what comes from my lips is right.
7 For my mouth speaks the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or false.
9 They are all clear to the discerning, and right to those who have found knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction rather than silver, and choose knowledge over fine gold.
11 For wisdom is better than pearls, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 I, wisdom, live with prudence; I find knowledge and discretion.”
13 “To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I am understanding, and strength is mine.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just.
16 By me princes govern, along with nobles—all who judge justly.
17 I love those who love me; those who seek me early find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold, better than pure gold; what I produce is worth more than chosen silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice.
21 I give an inheritance to those who love me and fill their storehouses.
22 The LORD acquired me at the beginning of his way, before his works, from long ago.
23 I was established from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth came to be.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs filled with water.”
25 “Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth.
26 He had not yet made the earth or the fields, or even the first dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there; when he marked out the horizon over the face of the deep.
28 When he established the clouds above, when he strengthened the springs of the deep.
29 When he set a limit for the sea, so its waters would not pass his command; when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 I was beside him as a master worker, and I was his delight day after day, rejoicing before him all the time.
31 I rejoiced in his world, his earth, and delighted in the human race.
32 Now, children, listen to me; happy are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to instruction and become wise; do not reject it.
34 Happy is the person who listens to me, watching at my doors day after day, keeping watch at the posts of my entrances.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the LORD’s favor.
36 But whoever sins against me wrongs himself; all who hate me love death.”
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