Proverbs 8

The Blessings of Wisdom

[1] Does not wisdom call?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

[2] On the heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

[3] beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

[4] “To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the children of man.

[5] O simple ones, learn prudence;

O fools, learn sense.

[6] Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is right,

[7] for my mouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

[8] All the words of my mouth are righteous;

there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

[9] They are all straight to him who understands,

and right to those who find knowledge.

[10] Take my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold,

[11] for wisdom is better than jewels,

and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

[12] “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

[13] The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

[14] I have counsel and sound wisdom;

I have insight; I have strength.

[15] By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

[16] by me princes rule,

and nobles, all who govern justly.

[17] I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

[18] Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

[19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

[20] I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

[21] granting an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.

[22] “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,

the first of his acts of old.

[23] Ages ago I was set up,

at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

[24] When there were no depths I was brought forth,

when there were no springs abounding with water.

[25] Before the mountains had been shaped,

before the hills, I was brought forth,

[26] before he had made the earth with its fields,

or the first of the dust of the world.

[27] When he established the heavens, I was there;

when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

[28] when he made firm the skies above,

when he established the fountains of the deep,

[29] when he assigned to the sea its limit,

so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

[30] then I was beside him, like a master workman,

and I was daily his delight,

rejoicing before him always,

[31] rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the children of man.

[32] “And now, O sons, listen to me:

blessed are those who keep my ways.

[33] Hear instruction and be wise,

and do not neglect it.

[34] Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

[35] For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the LORD,

[36] but he who fails to find me injures himself;

all who hate me love death.” (ESV)