Proverbs 8:1–21

In Praise of Wisdom

8^*Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard.

^2*On the hilltops near the road and at the crossroads she stands.

^3*At the entrance to the city, beside the gates, she calls:

⁴“I appeal to all of you; I call to everyone on earth.

⁵Are you immature? Learn to be mature. Are you foolish? Learn to have sense.

⁶Listen to my excellent words; all I tell you is right.

⁷What I say is the truth; lies are hateful to me.

⁸Everything I say is true; nothing is false or misleading.

⁹To those with insight, it is all clear; to the well-informed, it is all plain.

¹⁰Choose my instruction instead of silver; choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.

¹¹“I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels; nothing you want can compare with me.

¹²I am Wisdom, and I have insight; I have knowledge and sound judgement.

¹³To honour the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.

¹⁴I make plans and carry them out. I have understanding, and I am strong.

¹⁵I help kings to govern and rulers to make good laws.

¹⁶Every ruler on earth governs with my help, officials and nobles alike.

¹⁷I love those who love me; whoever looks for me can find me.

¹⁸I have riches and honour to give, prosperity and success.

¹⁹What you get from me is better than the finest gold, better than the purest silver.

²⁰I walk the way of righteousness; I follow the paths of justice,

²¹giving wealth to those who love me, filling their houses with treasures.