Proverbs 8:22–36

Wisdom as Creator

²²“The Lord already possessed me long ago, 

when his way began, 

before any of his works. 

²³I was appointed from everlasting 

from the first, 

before the earth began. 

²⁴I was born 

before there were oceans, 

before there were springs filled with water. 

²⁵I was born 

before the mountains were settled in their places 

and before the hills, 

²⁶when he had not yet made land or fields 

or the first dust of the world. 

²⁷“When he set up the heavens, I was there. 

When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean, 

²⁸when he established the skies above, 

when he determined the currents in the ocean, 

²⁹when he set a limit for the sea 

so the waters would not overstep his command, 

when he traced the foundations of the earth, 

³⁰I was beside him as a master craftsman. 

I made him happy day after day, 

I rejoiced in front of him all the time, 

³¹found joy in his inhabited world, 

and delighted in the human race. 

Wisdom as Lifegiver

³²“Now, sons, listen to me. 

Blessed are those who follow my ways. 

³³Listen to discipline, and become wise. 

Do not leave my ways. 

³⁴Blessed is the person who listens to me, 

watches at my door day after day, 

and waits by my doorposts. 

³⁵Whoever finds me finds life 

and obtains favor from the Lord. 

³⁶Whoever sins against me harms himself. 

All those who hate me love death.”