Proverbs 8:1-16 ▼

1 Shall not wisdom call, and understanding give her voice?

2 She stood upon the head of the heights, upon the way of the house of the beaten paths.

3 At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city from the coming in of the doors she will cry:

4 To you, ye men, I shall call, and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 Understand craftiness, ye simple: and ye foolish, understand the heart.

6 Hear ye, for I will speak dear things; and the openings of my lips uprightnesses.

7 For my palate shall meditate the truth, and evil is the abomination of my lips.

8 In justice are all the sayings of my mouth; nothing in them crooked and perverse.

9 All of them straight to him understanding, and right to those finding knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction and not silver and knowledge above tried gold.

11 For wisdom is good above pearls, and all delights shall not be made equal with her.

12 I wisdom dwelt with prudence, and I shall find the knowledge of machinations.

13 The fear of Jehovah hates evil: pride and haughtiness, and the evil way, and the mouth of perverseness I hated.

14 To me counsel and wisdom: I am understanding; to me is strength.

15 By me kings shall reign, and princes shall decree justice.

16 By me chiefs shall have dominion, and nobles all judging the earth.