‏ Proverbs 8

Wisdom Calls Out

1Doesn’t wisdom call out?
Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2At the highest point along the way,
she takes her place where the paths meet.
3Beside the gate leading into the city,
she cries out at the entrance. She says,
4“People, I call out to you.
I raise my voice to all human beings.
5You who are childish, get some good sense.
You who are foolish, set your hearts on getting it.
6Listen! I have things to say that you can depend on.
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7My mouth speaks what is true.
My lips hate evil.
8All the words of my mouth are honest.
None of them is twisted or sinful.
9To those who have understanding, all my words are right.
To those who have found knowledge, they are true.
10Choose my teaching instead of silver.
Choose knowledge rather than fine gold.
11Wisdom is worth more than rubies.
Nothing you want can compare with her.

12“I, wisdom, live together with understanding.
I have knowledge and good sense.
13To have respect for the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate pride and bragging.
I hate evil ways and twisted words.
14I have good sense and give good advice.
I have understanding and power.
15By me kings rule.
Leaders make laws that are fair.
16By me princes and nobles govern.
It is by me that anyone rules on earth.
17I love those who love me.
Those who look for me find me.
18With me are riches and honor.
With me are lasting wealth and success.
19My fruit is better than fine gold.
My gifts are better than the finest silver.
20I walk in ways that are honest.
I take paths that are right.
21I leave riches to those who love me.
I give them more than they have room for.

22“The Lord created me as the first of his works,
before his acts of long ago.
23I was formed a long, long time ago.
I was formed at the very beginning, when the world was created.
24Before there were any oceans, I was born.
It was before there were springs flowing with water.
25Before the mountains were settled in place, I was born.
Before there were any hills, I was born.
26It happened before the Lord made the world and its fields.
It was before he made the dust of the earth.
27I was there when he set the heavens in place.
When he marked out the place where the sky meets the sea, I was there.
28That was when he put the clouds above.
It was when he fixed the ocean springs in place.
29It was when he set limits for the sea
so that the waters had to obey his command.
When the Lord marked out the foundations of the earth, I was there.
30I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day.
I was always happy to be with him.
31His whole world filled me with joy.
I took delight in all human beings.

32“My children, listen to me.
Blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to my teaching and be wise.
Don’t turn away from it.
34Blessed are those who listen to me.
They watch every day at my doors.
They wait beside my doorway.
35Those who find me find life.
They receive blessing from the Lord.
36But those who don’t find me harm only themselves.
Everyone who hates me loves death.”