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Proverbs chapter 8

English Standard Version

1Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4"To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. 5O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. 6Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, 7for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. 14I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. 15By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, 21granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22 "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. 32"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 36but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."
New International Version

1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 4"To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. 6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. 10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 12"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. 15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; 16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. 17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. 22"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; 25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. 27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. 32"Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. 36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death."
New American Standard Bible

1Does not wisdom call, And understanding raise her voice? 2On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 4'To you, people, I call, And my voice is to mankind. 5You naive ones, understand prudence; And, you fools, understand wisdom! 6Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. 7For my mouth will proclaim truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. 9They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10Accept my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. 12'I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion. 13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. 14Advice is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. 17I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. 18Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold; And my yield better than choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. 22'The Lord created me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23From eternity I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24When there were no ocean depths, I was born, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was born; 26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. 27When He established the heavens, I was there; When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29When He set a boundary for the sea So that the water would not violate His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was His delight daily, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of mankind. 32'Now then, sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Listen to instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34Blessed is the person who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35For one who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord. 36But one who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.'
Christian Standard Bible

1Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? 2At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: 4"People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. 5Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. 6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. 7For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. 8All the words from my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. 9All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. 10Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can equal it. 12I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness and have knowledge and discretion. 13To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. 14I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength. 15It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; 16by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges. 17I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. 18With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. 20I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22"The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. 23I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began. 24I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. 25Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth— 26before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth. 27I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean, 28when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out, 29when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth. 30I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him.
31I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam. 32"And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy. 33Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it. 34Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway. 35For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 36but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
New Living Translation

1Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! 2On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 3By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, 4'I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. 5You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. 6Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, 7for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. 8My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. 9My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. 10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12'I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. 13All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. 14Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. 15Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. 16Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
17'I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. 18I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. 19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! 20I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. 21Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.
22'The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 24I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born — 26before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. 29I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 30I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!
32'And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. 33Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. 34Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. 36But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.'
King James Version

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
New King James Version

1Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. 12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. 14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. 17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. 20I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. 22“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24When 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, I was brought forth; 26While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. 27When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men. 32“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; 36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

What does Proverbs chapter 8 mean?

Earlier in the book of Proverbs, wisdom was personified as a woman calling out in public to be heard (Proverbs 1:20–21). Solomon once again uses this metaphor, depicting wisdom as she cries out from near and far for men to heed her call and listen to what she has to say. Wisdom's message is not obscured so that no one can find it. On the contrary, the basic principles of godly wisdom are so obvious that all people ought to hear and listen (Proverbs 8:1–5).

In contrast to those who are corrupt, crooked, or twisted, wisdom speaks noble, righteous, and true things. Her instruction is worth more than the finest gold, silver, and jewels. This is true in both practical and spiritual ways. A person who starts with nothing, but follows wisdom, has a better chance of becoming successful than a foolish person who stumbles into wealth. From an eternal perspective, this is also true (Mark 8:36): the soul is worth infinitely more than anything we might obtain in life (Proverbs 8:6–11).

Wisdom teaches that the fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. This "fear" is the kind of reverential, worshipful obedience that we should rightly offer to God (Proverbs 1:7). In contrast, that which disagrees with wisdom is pride, arrogance, and corruption (Proverbs 8:12–13).

For a leader to be truly benevolent, and just, they must use godly wisdom. This is a national application of the same benefits wisdom offers to individual people: she loves those who love her. Once again extolling the value of godly wisdom, Solomon notes that the effects of honoring God are better than fine gold and choice silver (Proverbs 8:14–21).

Solomon also notes that wisdom existed before God created the earth and the heavens. The depiction here of wisdom as something established by God before even the creation of the world speaks to God's perfection. At the same time, wisdom poetically speaks of being alongside the Lord as a master workman. This wording has led some to interpret this passage as a statement from Jesus, who was more literally "with" God in the beginning (John 1:1). However, this is a different context and not a literal representation of Christ. Rather, wisdom is an intrinsic part of how God created and enjoyed His work (Proverbs 8:22–31).

Returning to the theme of advice, wisdom urges human beings to listen to her and promises blessings to those who respond positively. She promises life to those who listen to her as well as favor from the Lord. However, those who fail to find wisdom—those who ignore God's teaching inflict injury on themselves and love death. They will ultimately be separated from God (Proverbs 8:32–36).
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