Proverbs 8
The Call of Wisdom
Oh, listen to wisdom, can you hear her call?
And, has not discernment raised her voice to all?
She stands at the top of the city's high ground;
at crossroads and pathways can wisdom be found.
You hear, at the gates to the city, her shout;
in doorways and arches, you hear her cry out:
To you, O men, I call and cry out to you;
I lift up my voice to the sons of man, too.
O simple ones, learn to be prudent, to start;
O foolish ones, take understanding to heart.
Oh, hear, for I've things that are noble to tell;
my mouth will reveal what is worthy as well.
My mouth will speak truth when there's something to say;
my lips detest wickedness and its decay.
My mouth speaks of righteousness with every word,
and nothing perverted from my lips is heard.
To those who perceive them, my plain words are sound;
my words will seem right once true knowledge is found.
Instruction should mean more than silver you hold;
choose knowledge instead of the finest of gold.
For wisdom is better than jewels that you wear,
and nothing desired can ever compare.
I, wisdom, with insight and common sense, dwell;
discretion and knowledge, I know them as well.
If you fear the LORD then hate evil, no less;
I hate pride, perverse speech, and all wickedness.
Sound wisdom and counsel, to me, they belong;
I am understanding, both mighty and strong.
Kings rule over kingdoms — but only by me
has justice been served by a ruler's decree.
Through me princes rule — it is not royal birth,
so do all the nobles and judges on earth.
I love those who love me with all of their heart,
and I can be found if I'm sought on their part.
Great riches and honor are mine to possess,
enduring prosperity and righteousness.
My fruit is far better than any fine gold;
my produce yields better than all silver sold.
I'll follow the pathway where righteousness leads,
and walk in the ways in which justice proceeds;
bestowing great wealth on those loving me still,
their treasury storehouses will I then fill.
Before time began, by the LORD, was I made,
before the foundations of earth had been laid.
Before ancient times, was I formed at my birth,
before LORD Jehovah established the earth.
Before there were oceans, the depths and the seas,
the fountains and springs, I was born before these.
Before any mountains were given their form,
before hills were placed, I was brought forth and born.
Before the LORD fashioned the earth and its crust,
its lands and its fields and first handfuls of dust.
When he placed the heavenly sky, I was there,
and stretched the horizon on oceans with care;
when clouds were established above in the sky,
and fountains were fixed in the deep, there was I;
when borders were set for the sea and the shore,
so waters could not cover earth anymore;
for when the foundations of earth first were laid,
there, I was the architect, giving him aid,
and I, with delight was filled, day after day,
rejoicing beside him as I was always.
How happy was I with his new world back then,
and how I rejoiced with the children of men.
So, listen my children, and hear what I say,
for happy are those who keep all of my ways.
Oh, hear my instruction, be wise, heed my call;
but do not neglect nor reject it at all.
How blest is the one who has heard me and waits;
who watches each day at the posts of my gates.
Whoever will find me finds life as reward;
and they'll obtain favor and grace from the LORD.
But those who have missed me have harmed their own soul;
for all those who hate me love death, on the whole.
Oh, listen to wisdom, can you hear her call?
And, has not discernment raised her voice to all?
She stands at the top of the city's high ground;
at crossroads and pathways can wisdom be found.
You hear, at the gates to the city, her shout;
in doorways and arches, you hear her cry out:
To you, O men, I call and cry out to you;
I lift up my voice to the sons of man, too.
O simple ones, learn to be prudent, to start;
O foolish ones, take understanding to heart.
Oh, hear, for I've things that are noble to tell;
my mouth will reveal what is worthy as well.
My mouth will speak truth when there's something to say;
my lips detest wickedness and its decay.
My mouth speaks of righteousness with every word,
and nothing perverted from my lips is heard.
To those who perceive them, my plain words are sound;
my words will seem right once true knowledge is found.
Instruction should mean more than silver you hold;
choose knowledge instead of the finest of gold.
For wisdom is better than jewels that you wear,
and nothing desired can ever compare.
I, wisdom, with insight and common sense, dwell;
discretion and knowledge, I know them as well.
If you fear the LORD then hate evil, no less;
I hate pride, perverse speech, and all wickedness.
Sound wisdom and counsel, to me, they belong;
I am understanding, both mighty and strong.
Kings rule over kingdoms — but only by me
has justice been served by a ruler's decree.
Through me princes rule — it is not royal birth,
so do all the nobles and judges on earth.
I love those who love me with all of their heart,
and I can be found if I'm sought on their part.
Great riches and honor are mine to possess,
enduring prosperity and righteousness.
My fruit is far better than any fine gold;
my produce yields better than all silver sold.
I'll follow the pathway where righteousness leads,
and walk in the ways in which justice proceeds;
bestowing great wealth on those loving me still,
their treasury storehouses will I then fill.
Before time began, by the LORD, was I made,
before the foundations of earth had been laid.
Before ancient times, was I formed at my birth,
before LORD Jehovah established the earth.
Before there were oceans, the depths and the seas,
the fountains and springs, I was born before these.
Before any mountains were given their form,
before hills were placed, I was brought forth and born.
Before the LORD fashioned the earth and its crust,
its lands and its fields and first handfuls of dust.
When he placed the heavenly sky, I was there,
and stretched the horizon on oceans with care;
when clouds were established above in the sky,
and fountains were fixed in the deep, there was I;
when borders were set for the sea and the shore,
so waters could not cover earth anymore;
for when the foundations of earth first were laid,
there, I was the architect, giving him aid,
and I, with delight was filled, day after day,
rejoicing beside him as I was always.
How happy was I with his new world back then,
and how I rejoiced with the children of men.
So, listen my children, and hear what I say,
for happy are those who keep all of my ways.
Oh, hear my instruction, be wise, heed my call;
but do not neglect nor reject it at all.
How blest is the one who has heard me and waits;
who watches each day at the posts of my gates.
Whoever will find me finds life as reward;
and they'll obtain favor and grace from the LORD.
But those who have missed me have harmed their own soul;
for all those who hate me love death, on the whole.
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