Proverbs 8

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

Doesn't wisdom call out, pleading to be heard? And doesn't understanding raise her voice, yearning to be understood?

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

She confidently stands at the peak of towering heights, guiding the way at the crossroads.

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

She calls out at the city gates, at the entrance to the city, right at the doorways where people come in.

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

I reach out to you, people, with my call; my voice echoes to all humanity.

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Hey, innocent ones, embrace wisdom; and you, who often err, let your hearts grasp understanding.

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

Listen closely, for I will share profound wisdom; when I speak, only truth will flow from my lips.

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

I promise to always speak the truth; lies and deceit are repulsive to me.

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

Everything I say comes from a place of truth and fairness; there's no deceit or corruption in my words.

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

My words are all clear to anyone who understands, and right to those who have found knowledge.

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

Embrace my teachings, not wealth; value wisdom over precious gold.

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

Wisdom surpasses the value of precious gems; no worldly desire can match its worth.

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

I, Wisdom, live side by side with good judgment, and I find knowledge and sound discretion.

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

Respecting God means despising all that is evil: arrogance, pride, wickedness, and deceitful speech are things I deeply detest.

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

I offer guidance and solid wisdom: I am the embodiment of insight; I possess power.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Through my guidance, kings rule with wisdom, and leaders uphold fairness.

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

Through my guidance, leaders lead, the elite govern, and every judge on earth makes decisions.

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

I deeply cherish those who hold affection for me; and those who earnestly search for me will undoubtedly discover me.

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

I hold wealth and respect; indeed, lasting prosperity and integrity are with me.

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

The blessings I offer surpass the value of gold, even the purest kind; my rewards are greater than the finest silver.

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice.

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

I will bless those who cherish me with true wealth; their lives will overflow with abundance.

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

From the very start of His way, before anything else, the LORD possessed me, even before His ancient works.

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

Before time itself was born, before the earth took shape, I have always existed.

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

Before the oceans were born, I came into existence; before the springs overflowed with water.

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

Before the mountains found their place, before the hills came into existence, I was born.

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

That was before He had made the earth or the fields, or even the first speck of the world's dust.

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

As He crafted the skies, I was by His side; when He drew boundaries on the vast depths, I was there.

When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

When He crafted the clouds in the sky and fortified the deep-sea springs.

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

When He set boundaries for the sea, commanding the waters to obey Him, and when He laid the very groundwork of the earth, He did so with authority and purpose.

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

I was always by his side, like a cherished companion. Every day, I brought him joy and constantly celebrated his presence.

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Finding joy in every corner of His creation, my heart danced with delight among humanity.

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Listen closely, my dear children: for those who follow my path are truly fortunate.

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

Listen to guidance, embrace wisdom, and never turn away from it.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Fortunate is the person who listens to me, diligently keeping watch at my doors, patiently waiting at my entrance.

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Whoever discovers me, discovers life, and receives the Lord's blessings.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Whoever wrongs me, hurts their own soul; those who despise me are in love with destruction.