Proverbs 8
The Excellence and
Eternity of Wisdom |
1 |
Doth not wisdom cry?
|
and understanding put forth her
voice? |
|
|
2 |
She standeth in the top of high
places,
|
by the way in the places of the
paths. |
|
|
3 |
She crieth at the gates,
|
at the entry of the city, |
at the coming in at the doors: Prov.
1.20, 21 |
|
|
4 |
Unto you, O men, I call;
|
and my voice is to the sons of
man. |
|
|
5 |
O ye simple, understand wisdom:
|
and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding
heart. |
|
|
6 |
Hear; for I will speak of excellent
things;
|
and the opening of my lips shall be right
things. |
|
|
7 |
For my mouth shall speak truth;
|
and wickedness is an abomination to my
lips. |
|
|
8 |
All the words of my mouth are in
righteousness;
|
there is nothing froward or perverse in
them. |
|
|
9 |
They are all plain to him that
understandeth,
|
and right to them that find
knowledge. |
|
|
10 |
Receive my instruction, and not
silver;
|
and knowledge rather than choice
gold. |
|
|
11 |
For wisdom is better than
rubies;
|
and all the things that may be desired are not to be
compared to
it. |
|
|
12 |
I wisdom dwell with prudence,
|
and find out knowledge of witty
inventions. |
|
|
13 |
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:
|
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, |
and the froward mouth, do I
hate. |
|
|
14 |
Counsel is mine, and sound
wisdom:
|
I am understanding; I have
strength. |
|
|
15 |
By me kings reign,
|
and princes decree
justice. |
|
|
16 |
By me princes rule, and nobles,
|
even all the judges of the
earth. |
|
|
17 |
I love them that love me;
|
and those that seek me early shall find
me. |
|
|
18 |
Riches and honor are with me;
|
yea, durable riches and
righteousness. |
|
|
19 |
My fruit is better than gold, yea,
than fine gold;
|
and my revenue than choice
silver. |
|
|
20 |
I lead in the way of righteousness,
|
in the midst of the paths of
judgment: |
|
|
21 |
that I may cause those that love me to
inherit substance;
|
and I will fill their treasures.
|
|
|
22 |
The LORD possessed
me in the beginning of his way, Rev. 3.14
|
23 |
I was set up from everlasting,
|
from the beginning, |
or ever the earth
was. |
|
|
24 |
When there were no depths, I was
brought forth;
|
when there were no fountains abounding with
water. |
|
|
25 |
Before the mountains were settled,
|
before the hills was I brought
forth: |
|
|
26 |
while as yet he had not made the earth,
nor the fields,
|
nor the highest part of the dust of the
world. |
|
|
27 |
When he prepared the heavens, I was there:
|
when he set a compass upon the face of the
depth: |
|
|
28 |
when he established the clouds above:
|
when he strengthened the fountains of the
deep: |
|
|
29 |
when he gave to the sea his decree,
|
that the waters should not pass his
commandment: |
when he appointed the foundations of the
earth: |
|
|
30 |
then I was by him,
|
as one brought up with him: |
and I was daily his delight, |
rejoicing always before
him; |
|
|
31 |
rejoicing in the habitable part of his
earth;
|
and my delights were with the sons of
men. |
|
|
32 |
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye
children:
|
for blessed are they that keep my
ways. |
|
|
33 |
Hear instruction, and be wise,
|
34 |
Blessed is the man that heareth
me,
|
watching daily at my gates, |
waiting at the posts of my
doors. |
|
|
35 |
For whoso findeth me findeth life,
|
and shall obtain favor of the LORD. |
|
|
36 |
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth
his own soul:
|
all they that hate me love
death. |
|
|