Proverbs 8:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

NIV: My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

NASB: My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold; And my yield better than choice silver.

CSB: My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver.

NLT: My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!

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

NKJV: My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

In this section, wisdom is speaking as a metaphorical woman, calling out to make herself known (Proverbs 8:1–4). What wisdom offers is of infinitely greater value than anything we could obtain on earth. Gold has often been the reference point for value, both poetically and literally. Even so, there have been material substances considered even more valuable. Certain gemstones, such as red beryl or musgravite, are worth thousands of times more than gold by weight. And yet, the value of godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) outweighs all of those (Proverbs 8:10–11).

The ultimate expression of godly wisdom is found in the person of Jesus Christ. To those who have faith in Him, He offers forgiveness, abundant and everlasting life, assurance of salvation, His constant presence, peace, joy, access to the Father, grace to help in time of need, guidance, provision for daily needs, security, and rewards. Those rewards include an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25), a crown of life (James 1:12), a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), and a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4).

Material wealth is uncertain and temporal, but the wealth Jesus gives those who believe on Him is eternal. Furthermore, believers have an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" that is kept in heaven for them (1 Peter 1:4). Someday believers will see Jesus as He is and be like Him (1 John 3:2). No amount of worldly wealth can purchase what believers have in Christ. As a hymn writer testified, "I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold."

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.