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Chapter 8
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Verse 1

Does not wisdom call out? And does not understanding raise her voice?

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

Verse 2

On the heights along the way, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

Verse 3

Beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries out.

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Verse 4

To you, O men, I call out, and my voice is to the people of humankind.

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Verse 5

Understand prudence, you simple ones; and you fools, gain a discerning heart.

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Verse 6

Listen, for I speak noble things, and what comes from my lips is right.

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Verse 7

For my mouth speaks truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Verse 8

All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are twisted or perverse.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

Verse 9

They are all plain to those who understand, and right to those who find knowledge.

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Verse 10

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Verse 11

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Verse 12

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I possess knowledge and discretion.

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Verse 13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Verse 14

Counsel and wisdom belong to me; I have understanding and strength.

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

Verse 15

By me kings reign, and rulers enact just decrees.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Verse 16

By me princes govern, and nobles—all who judge rightly.

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Verse 17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Verse 18

Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Verse 19

My fruit is better than fine gold, even pure gold, and my yield surpasses choice silver.

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Verse 20

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice.

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

Verse 21

Granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Verse 22

The LORD created me at the beginning of His work, the first of His acts of old.

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

Verse 23

From eternity I was established, from the beginning, before the origins of the earth.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Verse 24

When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs heavy with water.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Verse 25

Before the mountains were shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth.

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

Verse 26

Before He made the earth, the fields, or the first dust of the world.

While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

Verse 27

When He established the heavens, I was there; when He marked out the horizon on the face of the deep.

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

Verse 28

When He strengthened the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong.

When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

Verse 29

When He set the boundary for the sea so the waters would not overstep His command, and when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Verse 30

Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman, delighting day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Verse 31

Rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in the sons of men.

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Verse 32

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Verse 33

Listen to instruction and be wise; do not neglect it.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

Verse 34

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the doorposts of my entrances.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Verse 35

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Verse 36

But whoever sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

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Chapter 8
Next: proverbs 9→