Proverbs 8:1–21

The Blessings of Wisdom

8Does not ^lwisdom call?

Does not ^munderstanding raise her voice?

²On ⁿthe heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

³beside ^othe gates in front of ^pthe town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

⁴“To you, O ^qmen, I call,

and my cry is to ^qthe children of man.

⁵O ^rsimple ones, learn ^sprudence;

O ^tfools, learn sense.

⁶Hear, for I will speak ^unoble things,

and from my lips will come ^vwhat is right,

⁷for my ^wmouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

⁸All the words of my mouth are righteous;

there is nothing ^xtwisted or crooked in them.

⁹They are all ^ystraight to him who understands,

and right to those who find knowledge.

^10zTake my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold,

^11afor wisdom is better than jewels,

and ^ball that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

and I find knowledge and ^cdiscretion.

^13dThe fear of the Lord is ^ehatred of evil.

^fPride and arrogance and the way of evil

and ^gperverted speech I hate.

¹⁴I have ^hcounsel and ⁱsound wisdom;

I have insight; ^jI have strength.

¹⁵By me ^kkings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

¹⁶by me princes rule,

and nobles, all who govern justly.¹

^17lI love those who love me,

and ^mthose who seek me diligently find me.

¹⁸ⁿRiches and honor are with me,

^oenduring wealth and ^orighteousness.

¹⁹My fruit is ^pbetter than ^qgold, even fine gold,

and my yield than ^rchoice 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.