8
1 Doesn’t
wisdom cry out?
Doesn’t understanding raise
her voice?
2 On
the top of
high places by
the way,
where the
paths meet, she
stands.
3 Beside
the gates, at
the entry of
the city,
at the entry
doors, she cries
aloud:
4 “I
call to you
men!
I send my voice
to the sons
of mankind.
5 You
simple, understand prudence!
You fools, be
of an understanding
heart!
6 Hear,
for I will
speak excellent things.
The opening of
my lips is
for right things.
7 For
my mouth
speaks truth.
Wickedness is an
abomination to my
lips.
8 All
the words of
my mouth are
in righteousness.
There is nothing
crooked or
perverse in them.
9 They
are all plain
to him
who understands,
right to those
who find knowledge.
10 Receive
my instruction rather than
silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For
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.
13 The
fear of the
LORD is to
hate evil.
I hate pride,
arrogance, the
evil way, and
the perverse mouth.
14 Counsel
and sound knowledge
are mine.
I have understanding and power.
15 By
me kings reign,
and princes
decree justice.
16 By
me princes rule,
nobles, and all
the righteous
rulers of
the earth.
17 I love those
who love me.
Those who seek me
diligently will find
me.
18 With me are
riches, honor,
enduring wealth,
and prosperity.
19 My fruit
is better than
gold, yes, than
fine gold,
my yield than
choice silver.
20 I
walk in the
way of
righteousness,
in the middle
of the paths
of justice,
21 that I
may give wealth
to those who love me.
I fill their treasuries.
22 “The
LORD possessed me
in the beginning
of his work,
before his deeds
of old.
23 I was
set up from
everlasting, from
the beginning,
before the earth existed.
24 When there
were no depths, I
was born,
when there were no springs
abounding with
water.
25 Before
the mountains were
settled in place,
before the hills,
I was born;
26 while
as yet he
had not made
the earth, nor
the fields,
nor the beginning
of the dust
of the world.
27 When
he established the
heavens, I was
there.
When he set
a circle on
the surface of
the deep,
28 when he established
the clouds above,
when the springs
of the deep
became strong,
29 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,
30 then
I was the craftsman
by his side.
I was a
delight day by
day,
always rejoicing
before him,
31 rejoicing
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.
33 Hear
instruction, and be
wise.
Don’t refuse it.
34 Blessed is
the man who hears
me,
watching daily at
my gates,
waiting at my
door posts.
35 For whoever
finds me finds
life,
and will obtain
favor from the
LORD.
36 But
he who sins
against me wrongs
his own soul.
All those who
hate me love
death.”