The Proverbs

⭑ Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Listen to Wisdom calling; her voice sounds like that of a woman shouting in the public square. Understanding raises her voice; she sounds like a woman who calls out to be heard.

On the top of the hills and where the roads come together, there Wisdom stands.

Wisdom also stands at the gates at the entrance to the city, and she calls out with a loud voice. Wisdom says:

“I am calling out to everyone; I am shouting to all people!

You people who have no training, you must be taught how to live; you must learn so that you can understand completely.

Listen to me, because I will explain to you some excellent things. I can teach you about what is right,

for I speak what is true; I detest evil things so much, I hate to even speak about them.

Everything that I say is right; I do not say anything that changes the meaning of what is good or that leads people away from it.

My words give good advice to the one who understands the meaning of what I say; those who have learned to tell good from evil will easily know that my words are right.

Choose what I teach you, instead of trying to get much silver; and choose the knowledge I will show you, for it is more valuable than gold.

For I, Wisdom, am more precious than jewels; nothing is as valuable for you as I am.

I, Wisdom, live with Common Sense; we are like two people living in the same house. I know many things, and I act carefully.

Everyone who honors Yahweh hates what is evil. I am Wisdom, and I hate it when people are proud, when they think they are more important than others. I hate it when people act in evil ways, and when they tell lies.

I give good advice and I have the best wisdom; I have true understanding about the nature of things, and I have great strength.

When kings are wise, they rule well; and when rulers are wise, they make laws that are just.

By me, Wisdom, rulers govern their people; by me those who have authority guide their people with justice.

I am Wisdom, and I love all who love me; those who work hard to find me will find me.

These people will have lasting riches, and they will live right, because I have riches and honor with me.

What I can give people is more valuable than fine gold and the best silver.

I always do what is right and just.

I give wealth to those who love me, and I fill up their treasuries.

Anticipation of wisdom

Yahweh created me, Wisdom; he made me when he began to create the world; I was the first thing he created in the beginning.

He made me long ago, at the very first, at the beginning of the earth.

I was born before the oceans were created, when there were no springs from which water flowed.

I was born before the hills and mountains were set in place.

I am Wisdom and I was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the tiny particles of dust in the earth, I was there.

I was there when Yahweh put the heavens where they are, on the day when he marked on the ocean’s surface how far a person at sea can see in every direction.

I was there when Yahweh put the clouds above the earth, and when he made the springs at the bottom of the sea to give water to the oceans.

I was there when he fixed a boundary for the seas, so that the water in the seas would not go past those boundaries, and when he marked out the limits of the dry land.

I was at Yahweh’s side as his master craftsman; I made him happy every day, and I always rejoiced when I was with him.

I was delighted with the whole world he created; I was happy with the people he brought into existence, too.

Call to wisdom

So, you who are my children, listen to me. How fortunate are those who live as I live.

Listen to what I teach you and you will become wise. Do not reject what I have taught you.

How fortunate are those who listen to me, those who wait for me outside my house every day.

Those who find me will find life, and Yahweh will be pleased with them.

But those who do not find me, they hurt themselves. All those who hate me love death.”

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.”