Proverbs 8

Wisdom is more valuable than gold

1  Can you hear Wisdom calling?
Can you hear Understanding raising her voice?
2  On ridgetops above the paths,
At crossroads along the way,
3  At entrance gates into the city,
By doorways of the homes, she cries out,
4  “Hey everyone, heads up.
I have something to tell you.
5  You naïve people need to develop good judgment,
And you foolish people need some wisdom.
6  Listen up, because this advice is fit for royalty.
What I’m about to say is absolutely accurate.
7  I’ll tell you the honest truth.
I detest deception. I won’t lie to you.
8  Everything I’ll say is good and godly.
I’m not going to twist the truth into something crooked.
9  I’m talking straight, as folks with insight will recognize.
I’m right on target, as people who know a little something will understand.
10  Take what I can teach you. It’s worth more than silver.
Learn the knowledge I’ll pass along. It’s better than the purest gold.
11  A head full of wisdom is better than a bag full of jewels.
Nothing you could possibly want compares to Lady Wisdom.

Words of Lady Wisdom

12  I’m Wisdom. Meet my partner, Good Judgment.
I also know where to find knowledge and how to make practical decisions.
13  If you respect the LORD, you’ll hate anything evil.
I’ll tell you what I hate: pride, acting like the devil,
And lying through your teeth.
14  I’m loaded with good advice, and I’m resourceful, too.
I understand how things work, and I’m strong, as well.
15  I’m the reason kings reign,
And rulers want justice, and show it in their laws,
16  I’m the reason princes govern,
And leading citizens display good judgment.
17  I love everyone who loves me.
Anyone who hunts for me will find me.
18  I’m in good company, with wealth and honor.
I’m talking about the kind of wealth that lasts, along with goodness.
19  What I have to offer is better than gold—the purest gold.
It’s better than the highest grade of silver.
20  I live a good and godly life,
And justice is my goal.
21  I give a wealth of wisdom to people who love me.
I fill them with treasure.

In the beginning, I was here

22  I was with the LORD in the beginning,
Before he created anything.
23  I’ve been here since the beginning,
From the earliest days of earth.
24  Before oceans deep, I was here.
Before springs abundant, I was here.
25  Before mountains grew, I was here.
Before hills took shape, I was here.
26  I was here before he made the earth and its fields,
And before he made the first handful of dust.
27  When he hung the sky, I was here.
When he set the horizon as a boundary between sky and sea, I was here.
28  I was here when he set the clouds afloat,
When the underground springs burst free,
29  When he set the seashore at the water’s edge,
When he built the earth’s foundation.
30  I was with him, an associate working beside him.
I kept praising his work every day, and he loved it.
31  I was genuinely happy with the world he created,
And delighted to see the people who came along.

Obey me and you’ll be happy

32  Now listen, children,
Because those who do what I say are going to be glad they did.
33  Be smart and obey me.
Don’t ignore what I’m telling you.
34  You’re going to be happy if you listen to me.
Keep your eyes open for me, and wait till I get there.
35  When you find me, you find life,
And the LORD is happy with you.
36  Those who do me wrong hurt themselves.
Those who hate me love death.”