Proverbs 8:1–9:11

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing

¹Listen as Wisdom calls out!

Hear as understanding raises her voice!

²On the hilltop along the road,

she takes her stand at the crossroads.

³By the gates at the entrance to the town,

on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

⁴“I call to you, to all of you!

I raise my voice to all people.

⁵You simple people, use good judgment.

You foolish people, show some understanding.

⁶Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

Everything I say is right,

⁷for I speak the truth

and detest every kind of deception.

⁸My advice is wholesome.

There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

⁹My words are plain to anyone with understanding,

clear to those with knowledge.

¹⁰Choose my instruction rather than silver,

and knowledge rather than pure gold.

¹¹For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.

Nothing you desire can compare with it.

¹²“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.

I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

¹³All who fear the Lord will hate evil.

Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,

corruption and perverse speech.

¹⁴Common sense and success belong to me.

Insight and strength are mine.

¹⁵Because of me, kings reign,

and rulers make just decrees.

¹⁶Rulers lead with my help,

and nobles make righteous judgments.

¹⁷“I love all who love me.

Those who search will surely find me.

¹⁸I have riches and honor,

as well as enduring wealth and justice.

¹⁹My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,

my wages better than sterling silver!

²⁰I walk in righteousness,

in paths of justice.

²¹Those who love me inherit wealth.

I will fill their treasuries.

²²“The Lord formed me from the beginning,

before he created anything else.

²³I was appointed in ages past,

at the very first, before the earth began.

²⁴I was born before the oceans were created,

before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

²⁵Before the mountains were formed,

before the hills, I was born—

²⁶before he had made the earth and fields

and the first handfuls of soil.

²⁷I was there when he established the heavens,

when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

²⁸I was there when he set the clouds above,

when he established springs deep in the earth.

²⁹I was there when he set the limits of the seas,

so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.

And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

³⁰I was the architect at his side.

I was his constant delight,

rejoicing always in his presence.

³¹And how happy I was with the world he created;

how I rejoiced with the human family!

³²“And so, my children, listen to me,

for all who follow my ways are joyful.

³³Listen to my instruction and be wise.

Don’t ignore it.

³⁴Joyful are those who listen to me,

watching for me daily at my gates,

waiting for me outside my home!

³⁵For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the Lord.

³⁶But those who miss me injure themselves.

All who hate me love death.”

Chapter 9

¹Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved its seven columns.

²She has prepared a great banquet,

mixed the wines, and set the table.

³She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.

⁴“Come in with me,” she urges the simple.

To those who lack good judgment, she says,

⁵“Come, eat my food,

and drink the wine I have mixed.

⁶Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;

learn to use good judgment.”

⁷Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.

Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

⁸So don’t bother correcting mockers;

they will only hate you.

But correct the wise,

and they will love you.

⁹Instruct the wise,

and they will be even wiser.

Teach the righteous,

and they will learn even more.

¹⁰Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

¹¹Wisdom will multiply your days

and add years to your life.