Proverbs, 8

8:1 Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?

8:2 On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

8:3 Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:

8:4 “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.

8:5 O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

8:6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

8:7 For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

8:8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.

8:9 They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

8:10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

8:11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

8:12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

8:15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;

8:16 By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

8:18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.

8:19 My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

8:21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

8:22 The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.

8:23 From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.

8:24 When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

8:26 before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.

8:27 I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

8:28 when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

8:29 when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

8:30 Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.

8:31 I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.

8:32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

8:36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”