Proverbs 8:1–21

Wisdom Calls

8Does not wisdom call,

and understanding raise its voice?

²Atop the heights^a beside the road,

at the crossroads she stands.

³Beside gates, before towns,

at the entrance of doors, she cries out:

⁴“To you, O people,^b I call,

and my cry is to the children of humankind.

⁵Learn prudence, O simple ones;

fools, learn intelligence.^c

⁶Listen! For noble things I will speak,

and upright things from the opening of my lips.

⁷My mouth will utter truth,

and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

⁸All sayings of my mouth are in righteousness;

none of them are twisted and crooked.

⁹All of them are straight to him who understands,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

¹⁰Take my teaching and not silver;

may you choose knowledge rather than choice gold.

¹¹For wisdom is better than jewels,

and all desires shall not compare with her.

¹²I, wisdom, live with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

¹³The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,

pride, and arrogance and an evil way.

And I hate a mouth of perversity.

¹⁴Advice and sound judgment^d are mine;

I am understanding, strength is mine.^e

¹⁵By me kings reign,

and rulers decree righteousness.

¹⁶By me rulers rule,

and nobles—all judges of righteousness.

¹⁷I love those who love me,^f

and those who seek me diligently shall find me.

¹⁸Fortune and glory are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

¹⁹My fruit is better than gold,^g even refined gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

²⁰In the way of righteousness I walk,

in the midst of paths of justice,

²¹in order to endow those who love me with wealth,

and I will fill their treasuries.