Proverbs 8:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

NIV: Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

NASB: Advice is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.

CSB: I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength.

NLT: Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.

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

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

Contrary to arrogant people who are foolish liars, wisdom offers reliable truth that has powerful effects. This is demonstrated in one way by the comparison in Proverbs 8:10–11. There are things money cannot buy, so wisdom is worth more than precious metals or jewels. And yet, riches are easier to obtain through wisdom. Whether one considers earthly matters or eternal ones, godly wisdom is infinitely more valuable than material wealth (Mark 8:36; Luke 12:19–20).

Jesus is the personification of wisdom. Isaiah 9:6 identifies Him as "Wonderful Counselor" and "Mighty God." As such, He always instructs us to pursue the right path and do the right thing. Because He has infallible insight and sound wisdom, He knows what is best for us and works everything for our good (Romans 8:28–30). Because He has immeasurable strength, He keeps us in His grip (John 10:28), exercises all authority in heaven and earth on our behalf as we spread the gospel (Matthew 28:18–20), and enables us to draw strength from Him in every circumstance.

The apostle Paul testifies in Philippians 4:12–13: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." The godly wisdom possessed by Paul gave him access to strength far beyond what would have been possible otherwise.

In this passage, wisdom is once again imagined as a woman who cries out to be heard (Proverbs 1:20–21). Wisdom extols her own truth and value. Wisdom was part of God's creative power long before even the creation of the universe. The chapter again returns to the many benefits of godly wisdom, before completing those declarations at the start of the next chapter.

Thus far in Proverbs, Solomon has spoken about the virtues of wisdom and the need to acquire it and live by it. He has also warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. Chapter 7 ended with a description of a promiscuous woman seducing a foolish young man. Now, in chapter 8, he lets wisdom speak, once again personified as a woman. She speaks about her existence before creation and her gift of life to all who find her. This analogy continues into chapter 9.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.