Proverbs 8:1-33 ▼

1 Doth not wisdom cry, and understanding put forth her voice?

2 In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth;

3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O ye simple, understand subtilty; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For my mouth shall utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto her.

12 I wisdom have made subtilty my dwelling, and find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might.

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

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

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me diligently shall find me.

18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.

22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the deep:

28 When he made firm the sides above: when the fountains of the deep became strong:

29 When he gave to the sea its bound, that the waters should not transgress his commandment: when he marked out the foundations of the earth:

30 Then I was by him, as a master workman: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.