Proverbs 8
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1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice?1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet.2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind!4"To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right.6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me.7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech. 8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold,10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it."11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet.12"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise.13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me.14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me.15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly. 16by me princes govern, and nobles--all who rule on earth.
17I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness.18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just,20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries."21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced.22"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land.23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs.24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth.25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust,26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.
27when he crafted the heavens, I was there— when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep,27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established,28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29when he set a boundary for the sea so the waters would not exceed his limits, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence,30Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind."31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me.32"Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it.33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways—34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD.35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.
36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death."36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death."
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Proverbs 7
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