Proverbs 8

The Blessings of Wisdom

1 Does not wisdom call out, Does not understanding raise her voice,

2 On the hilltop by the road, at the crossroads she stands.

3 Beside the gates at the entrance, at the city doors she cries out:

4 “To you all, people, I call; I raise my voice to all mankind.”

5 “You simple ones, get some sense; you fools, get some heart.”

6 “Listen, I got solid things to say; my lips speak what is right.”

7 “My mouth spits truth; my lips hate wickedness.”

8 “All my words are righteous; none of them twisted or crooked.”

9 “They straight to the one who understands, right to those who find knowledge.”

10 “Take my instruction over silver, knowledge over fine gold.”

11 “For wisdom better than jewels; nothing you desire compares.”

12 “I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.”

13 “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride, arrogance, evil ways, and twisted talk.”

14 “I got counsel and sound judgment; I got insight and strength.”

15 “By me kings reign, rulers decree what is just.”

16 “By me princes govern, nobles, all who judge rightly.”

17 “I love those who love me, and those who hustle to find me find me.”

18 “With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.”

19 “My fruit better than gold, even pure gold; my yield better than silver.”

20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of justice.”

21 “Giving wealth to those who love me, filling their treasuries.”

22 “The Lord made me first, the beginning of His works, before His deeds of old.”

23 “I was formed ages ago, at the very start, before the earth began.”

24 “When there were no oceans, I was born, when no springs with water.”

25 “Before mountains were set in place, before hills, I was birthed.”

26 “Before He made earth or fields, or the dust of the world.”

27 “I was there when He set the heavens in place, when He marked the horizon.”

28 “When He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep burst forth.”

29 “When He set limits for the sea so it would not go past His command, when He marked the foundations of the earth.”

30 “I was right there beside Him, like a master craftsman; daily His delight, always rejoicing before Him.”

31 “Rejoicing in His world, delighting in mankind.”

32 “So now, sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.”

33 “Listen to instruction and be wise, do not ignore it.”

34 “Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.”

35 “For whoever finds me finds life and gets favor from the Lord.”

36 “But whoever misses me hurts himself; all who hate me love death.”