Proverbs 8

1Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice? 2where the paths meet, she stands. On the top of high places by the way, 3at the entry doors, she cries aloud: Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, 4I send my voice to the sons of mankind. “To you men, I call! 5You fools, be of an understanding heart. You simple, understand prudence. 6The opening of my lips is for right things. Hear, for I will speak excellent things. 7Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. For my mouth speaks truth. 8There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. 9right to those who find knowledge. They are all plain to him who understands, 10knowledge rather than choice gold. Receive my instruction rather than silver; 11All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it. For wisdom is better than rubies. 12Find out knowledge and discretion. “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. 13I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. 14I have understanding and power. Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. 15and princes decree justice. By me kings reign, 16nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. By me princes rule; 17Those who seek me diligently will find me. I love those who love me. 18enduring wealth, and prosperity. With me are riches, honor, 19my yield than choice silver. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; 20in the middle of the paths of justice; I walk in the way of righteousness, 21I fill their treasuries. That I may give wealth to those who love me. 22before his deeds of old. “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, 23before the earth existed. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, 24when there were no springs abounding with water. When there were no depths, I was born, 25before the hills, I was born; Before the mountains were settled in place, 26nor the beginning of the dust of the world. while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, 27when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, When he established the heavens, I was there; 28when the springs of the deep became strong, when he established the clouds above, 29that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth; when he gave to the sea its boundary, 30I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him, then I was the craftsman by his side. 31My delight was with the sons of men. Rejoicing in his whole world. 32for blessed are those who keep my ways. “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, 33Don’t refuse it. Hear instruction, and be wise. 34watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. Blessed is the man who hears me, 35and will obtain favor from Yahweh. For whoever finds me, finds life, 36All those who hate me love death.” But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.