8:1 Does not wisdom call? And does not understanding put forth her voice? |
8:2 She stands in the top of high places, by the place where the paths meet. |
8:3 She cries in the gates, at the entrance of the city, at the doors: |
8:4 "To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men. |
8:5 O you simple ones, understand wisdom; and, you fools, be of an understanding heart. |
8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things, |
8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. |
8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing twisted or perverse in them. |
8:9 They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. |
8:10 Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, |
8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. |
8:12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. |
8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth. |
8:14 Counsel and sound wisdom are mine; I am understanding; I have strength. |
8:15 By me kings reign and princes decree justice. |
8:16 Princes rule by me, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth. |
8:17 I love those who love me; and those who seek me early shall find me. |
8:18 Riches and honor are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness. |
8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and what I give is better than choice silver. |
8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, |
8:21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries. |
8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. |
8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth ever was. |
8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. |
8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth. |
8:26 Before He had made the earth, or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world, |
8:27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep; |
8:28 When He established the clouds above, when He established the fountains of the deep, |
8:29 When He gave to the sea its limit that the waters should not pass His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth, |
8:30 Even I was with Him as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, |
8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable world, His earth; and my delight was with the sons of men. |
8:32 And now therefore hearken unto me, O you children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. |
8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it. |
8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors, |
8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and shall obtain favor from the LORD. |
8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death." |