Proverbs - Chapter 8 | New International Version

  • 1. Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
  • 2. On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
  • 3. beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:
  • 4. To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
  • 5. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.
  • 6. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
  • 7. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
  • 8. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
  • 9. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
  • 10. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
  • 11. for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
  • 12. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
  • 13. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
  • 14. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.
  • 15. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;
  • 16. by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
  • 17. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
  • 18. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
  • 19. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
  • 20. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
  • 21. bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
  • 22. The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
  • 23. I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
  • 24. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
  • 25. before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
  • 26. before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
  • 27. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
  • 28. when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
  • 29. when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
  • 30. Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
  • 31. rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
  • 32. Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
  • 33. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
  • 34. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
  • 35. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
  • 36. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
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