Proverbs 8

1 Does wisdom not call? And understanding give forth her voice? 2 At the head of high places by the way, || She has stood between the paths, 3 At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, || The entrance of the openings, she cries aloud, 4 “To you, O men, I call, || And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 Understand, you simple ones, prudence, || And you fools, understand the heart, 6 Listen, for I speak noble things, || And the opening of my lips is uprightness. 7 For my mouth utters truth, || And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the sayings of my mouth are in righteousness, || Nothing in them is contrary and perverse. 9 All of them are plain to the intelligent, || And upright to those finding knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, || And knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, || Indeed, all delights are not comparable with it. 12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, || And I find out a knowledge of purposes. 13 The fear of YHWH is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, || And a contrary mouth, I have hated. 14 Counsel and substance are mine, || I am understanding, I have might. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness, 16 By me chiefs rule, and nobles, || All judges of earth. 17 I love those loving me, || And those seeking me earnestly find me. 18 Wealth and honor are with me, || Lasting substance and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, || And my increase than choice silver. 20 I cause to walk in a path of righteousness, || In midst of paths of judgment, 21 To cause my lovers to inherit substance, || Indeed, I fill their treasures. 22 YHWH possessed me—the beginning of His way, || Before His works since then. 23 I was anointed from the age, from the first, || From former states of the earth. 24 In there being no depths, I was brought out, || In there being no fountains heavy with waters, 25 Before mountains were sunk, || Before heights, I was brought out. 26 While He had not made the earth, and out-places, || And the top of the dusts of the world. 27 In His preparing the heavens I am there, || In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep, 28 In His strengthening clouds above, || In His making strong fountains of the deep, 29 In His setting for the sea its limit, || And the waters do not transgress His command, || In His decreeing the foundations of earth, 30 Then I am near Him, a workman, || And I am a delight—day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times, 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, || And my delights are with the sons of men. 32 And now, you sons, listen to me, || Indeed, blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not slight. 34 O the blessedness of the man listening to me, || To watch at my doors day by day, || To watch at the doorposts of my entrance. 35 For whoever is finding me, has found life, || And brings out goodwill from YHWH. 36 And whoever is missing me, is wronging his soul, || All hating me have loved death!”


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