Proverbs 8

^{Proverbs 8:1} Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?

^{Proverbs 8:2} On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

^{Proverbs 8:3} Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:

^{Proverbs 8:4} “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.

^{Proverbs 8:5} O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

^{Proverbs 8:6} Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

^{Proverbs 8:7} For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

^{Proverbs 8:8} All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.

^{Proverbs 8:9} They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

^{Proverbs 8:10} Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

^{Proverbs 8:11} For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

^{Proverbs 8:12} I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

^{Proverbs 8:13} To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

^{Proverbs 8:14} Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

^{Proverbs 8:15} By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;

^{Proverbs 8:16} By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

^{Proverbs 8:17} I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

^{Proverbs 8:18} With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.

^{Proverbs 8:19} My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

^{Proverbs 8:20} I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

^{Proverbs 8:21} bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

^{Proverbs 8:22} The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.

^{Proverbs 8:23} From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.

^{Proverbs 8:24} When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.

^{Proverbs 8:25} Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

^{Proverbs 8:26} before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.

^{Proverbs 8:27} I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

^{Proverbs 8:28} when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

^{Proverbs 8:29} when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

^{Proverbs 8:30} Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.

^{Proverbs 8:31} I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.

^{Proverbs 8:32} Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

^{Proverbs 8:33} Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

^{Proverbs 8:34} Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

^{Proverbs 8:35} For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

^{Proverbs 8:36} But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”