Proverbs 8:1-16 ▼

1 Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding raise her voice?

2 On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

3 By the gates at the approaches of the city, in the entryways she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O people, I call; my appeal is to you mortals.

5 You naive ones, gain prudence, you fools, gain sense.

6 Listen! for noble things I speak; my lips proclaim honest words.

7 Indeed, my mouth utters truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are sincere, none of them wily or crooked;

9 All of them are straightforward to the intelligent, and right to those who attain knowledge.

10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 [For Wisdom is better than corals, and no treasures can compare with her. ]

12 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and useful knowledge I have.

13 [The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil;] Pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate.

14 Mine are counsel and advice; Mine is strength; I am understanding.

15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact justice;

16 By me princes govern, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.