Proverbs 8

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.footnote a

8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.footnote b

9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.footnote c

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:footnote d

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.footnote efootnote f

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:footnote g

28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.footnote h

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The Excellence of Wisdom

1Does not wisdom call out,and understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights overlooking the road,at the crossroads she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates to the city,at the entrances she cries out:

4“To you, O men, I call out,and my cry is to the sons of men. 5O simple ones, learn to be shrewd;O fools, gain understanding.footnote a 6Listen, for I speak of noble things,and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

7For my mouth will speak the truth,and wickedness is detestable to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are righteous;none are crooked or perverse. 9They are all plain to the discerning,and upright to those who find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction instead of silver,and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11For wisdom is more precious than rubies,and nothing you desire compares with her.

12I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence,and I find knowledge and discretion. 13To fear the LORD is to hate evil;I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. 14Counsel and sound judgment are mine;I have insight and strength. 15By me kings reign,and rulers enact just laws; 16By me princes rule,and all nobles who govern justly.footnote b

17I love those who love me,and those who seek me early shall find me. 18With me are riches and honor,enduring wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, pure gold,and my harvest surpasses choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness,along the paths of justice, 21bestowing wealth on those who love meand making their treasuries full.

22The LORD created me as His first course,footnote cbefore His works of old. 23From everlasting I was established,from the beginning, before the earth began. 24When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,when no springs were overflowing with water. 25Before the mountains were settled,before the hills, I was brought forth, 26before He made the land or fields,or any of the dust of the earth.

27I was there when He established the heavens,when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28when He established the clouds above,when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, 29when 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. 30Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side,and His delightfootnote dday by day,rejoicing always in His presence. 31I was rejoicing in His whole world,delighting together in the sons of men.

32Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Listen to instruction and be wise;do not ignore it. 34Blessed is the man who listens to me,watching daily at my doors,waiting at the posts of my doorway. 35For whoever finds me finds lifeand obtains the favor of the LORD. 36But he who fails to find me harms himself;all who hate me love death.”