Proverbs 8:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

NIV: All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

NASB: All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

CSB: All the words from my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse.

NLT: My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

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

NKJV: All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

In this passage, Solomon has poetically imagined a woman, the embodiment of wisdom, speaking to anyone who will hear (Proverbs 8:1–3). In the prior verse, this personification of godly wisdom claimed to speak only truth and moral goodness (Proverbs 8:7). The term translated "twisted" is used elsewhere in Scripture to imply sins like deceit, lying, and fraud (Job 5:13). It implies something warped from the way it ought to be, as a liar's words are "twisted" around. The word rendered in English as "crooked" can also be translated as "perverted," and implies a similar mangling of words and intentions (Proverbs 2:15). Godly wisdom, in contrast, contains nothing that deviates from reality. As an expression of God's own perfection (Proverbs 8:22), true wisdom is never incorrect and never deceptive, though it might require careful effort to fully understand (Proverbs 8:17). Once a person gains that level of understanding, godly wisdom seems straightforward and obvious (Proverbs 8:9).

Proverbs 8:1–11 comes immediately after a potent warning about a promiscuous, seductive woman. Here, Solomon again presents a woman, this time as wisdom personified (Proverbs 1:20). She calls from everywhere to men to learn prudence and sense. She cites the value of learning from her. Her words are noble, right, true, righteous, and honest. Wisdom is far greater than silver, choice gold, jewels, and everything else that can be compared with her.

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.

Accessed 5/8/2024 4:29:46 PM