Proverbs 8
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1Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?1Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.2On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:3By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.4“I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.
5O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.5You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.
6Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;6Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,
7For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.7for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.
8All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.8My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.9My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.11For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.12“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.13All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.14Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
15By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.15Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.
16By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.16Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
17I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.17“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
18Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.18I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!
20I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,20I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
21That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.21Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.
22“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.22“The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.
23I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.23I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
24When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.24I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;25Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born—
26While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.26before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.
27When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,27I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
28When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,28I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.
29When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,29I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
30Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,30I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.
31Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.31And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!
32“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.32“And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.33Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.
34Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.34Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!
35For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;35For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”36But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 7
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