NRSV Proverbs 8 Chapter
8:1
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?
8:2
On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
8:3
beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
8:4
"To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.
8:5
O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
8:6
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right;
8:7
for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8:8
All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
8:9
They are all straight to one who understands and right to those who find knowledge.
8:10
Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;
8:11
for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
8:12
I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I attain knowledge and discretion.
8:13
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
8:14
I have good advice and sound wisdom; I have insight, I have strength.
8:15
By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
8:16
by me rulers rule, and nobles, all who govern rightly.
8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
8:18
Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.
8:19
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
8:21
endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
8:22
The LORD created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago.
8:23
Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
8:24
When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
8:25
Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth--
8:26
when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world's first bits of soil.
8:27
When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
8:28
when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
8:29
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,
8:30
then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
8:31
rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.
8:32
And now, my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways.
8:33
Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
8:34
Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
8:35
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD;
8:36
but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death."