Proverbs 8:1-36

Proverbs 8:1-36 [1]DOES NOT skillful and godly Wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice [in contrast to the loose woman]? [2]On the top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, stands Wisdom [skillful and godly]; [3]At the gates at the entrance of the town, at the coming in at the doors, she cries out: [4]To you, O men, I call, and my voice is directed to the sons of men. [5]O you simple and thoughtless ones, understand prudence; you [self-confident] fools, be of an understanding heart. [Isa. 32:6.] [6]Hear, for I will speak excellent and princely things; and the opening of my lips shall be for right things. [7]For my mouth shall utter truth, and wrongdoing is detestable and loathsome to my lips. [8]All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them. [9]They are all plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]. [10]Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, [11]For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. [Job 28:15; Ps. 19:10; 119:127.] [12]I, Wisdom [from God], make prudence my dwelling, and I find out knowledge and discretion. [James 1:5.] [13]The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate. [14]I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power. [15]By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. [Dan. 2:21; Rom. 13:1.] [16]By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth. [17]I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. [I Sam. 2:30; Ps. 91:14; John 14:21; James 1:5.] [18]Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God). [Prov. 3:16; Matt. 6:33.] [19]My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and my increase than choice silver. [20]I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice, [21]That I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches and that I may fill their treasuries. [22]The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old. [23]I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed. [John 1:1; I Cor. 1:24.] [24]When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water. [25]Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, [Job 15:7, 8.] [26]While as yet He had not made the land or the fields or the first of the dust of the earth. [27]When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it, [28]When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep, [29]When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth–[Job 38:10, 11; Ps. 104:6-9; Jer. 5:22.] [30]Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, [Matt. 3:17; John 1:2, 18.] [31]Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men. [Ps. 16:3.] [32]Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. [Ps. 119:1, 2; 128:1, 2; Luke 11:28.] [33]Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it. [34]Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. [35]For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord. [36]But he who misses me or sins against me wrongs and injures himself; all who hate me love and court death.