The Proverbs

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?

On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:

“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.

O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.(a)

Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.

They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;

By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.(b)

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Anticipation of wisdom

The LORD created me as His first course,(c) before His works of old.

From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.

When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.

I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight

(d)

day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.

I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

Footnotes

(a)8:5 Or instruct your minds

(b)8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and LXX who govern the earth

(d)8:30 Or filled with His delight

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

Anticipation of wisdom

“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

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,

then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”