章 |
8:1 |
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
|
8:2 |
On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
|
8:3 |
beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:
|
8:4 |
"To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
|
8:5 |
You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.
|
8:6 |
Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
|
8:7 |
My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
|
8:8 |
All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
|
8:9 |
To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
|
8:10 |
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
|
8:11 |
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
|
8:12 |
"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
|
8:13 |
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
|
8:14 |
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.
|
8:15 |
By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;
|
8:16 |
by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
|
8:17 |
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
|
8:18 |
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
|
8:19 |
My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield 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 brought me forth as the first of his works,, before his deeds of old;
|
8:23 |
I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
|
8:24 |
When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
|
8:25 |
before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
|
8:26 |
before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
|
8:27 |
I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
|
8:28 |
when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
|
8:29 |
when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
|
8:30 |
Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
|
8:31 |
rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
|
8:32 |
"Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
|
8:33 |
Listen to my 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 my doorway.
|
8:35 |
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
|
8:36 |
But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
|