Proverbs 8:1–21

Wisdom Is Worth More Than Anything

8Doesn’t wisdom call out?

Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

²On the high roads along the way,

she takes her place where the paths meet.

³Beside the gates leading into the city,

she cries out at the entrances.

⁴She says, “Men, I call out to you.

I raise my voice to all human beings.

⁵You who are childish, get some good sense.

You who are foolish, gain understanding.

⁶Listen! I have worthy things to say.

I open my lips to speak what is right.

⁷My mouth speaks what is true.

My lips hate evil.

⁸All the words of my mouth are honest.

None of them is twisted or sinful.

⁹To those who have understanding, all my words are right.

To those who have knowledge, they are true.

¹⁰Choose my teaching instead of silver.

Choose knowledge rather than fine gold.

¹¹Wisdom is worth more than rubies.

Nothing you want can compare with her.

¹²“I, wisdom, live together with understanding.

I have knowledge and good sense.

¹³To have respect for the Lord is to hate evil.

I hate pride and bragging.

I hate evil ways and twisted words.

¹⁴I have good sense and give good advice.

I have understanding and power.

¹⁵By me kings rule.

Leaders make laws that are fair.

¹⁶By me princes govern.

By me all nobles rule on earth.

¹⁷I love those who love me.

Those who look for me find me.

¹⁸With me are riches and honor.

With me are lasting wealth and success.

¹⁹My fruit is better than fine gold.

My gifts are better than the finest silver.

²⁰I walk in ways that are honest.

I take paths that are right.

²¹I leave riches to those who love me.

I give them more than they have room for.