The Commendation of Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
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On the top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;
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Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
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“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is directed to the sons of men.
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“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;
And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].(A)
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“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
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“For my mouth will utter truth,
And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.
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“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);
There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.
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“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
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“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,
And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,
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“For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.(B)
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“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.(C)
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“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
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“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power and strength are mine.
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“By me kings reign
And rulers decide and decree justice.(D)
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“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge and govern rightly.
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“I love those who love me;
And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.(E)
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“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).(F)
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“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield is better than choicest silver.
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“I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
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That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
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“The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old [were accomplished].
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“From everlasting I was established and ordained,
From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].(G)
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“When there were no ocean depths I was born,
When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.
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“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;(H)
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While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Or the first of the dust of the earth.
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“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;
When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,
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When He made firm the skies above,
When the fountains and springs of the deep became fixed and strong,
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When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth—(I)
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Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight;
Rejoicing before Him always,(J)
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Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.(K)
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“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.(L)
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“Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise,
And do not ignore or neglect it.
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“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
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“For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life
And obtains favor and grace from the Lord.
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“But he who fails to find me or sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love and court death.”
Cross references
- Proverbs 8:5 : Is 32:6
- Proverbs 8:11 : Job 28:15; Ps 19:10; 119:127
- Proverbs 8:12 : James 1:5
- Proverbs 8:15 : Dan 2:21; Rom 13:1
- Proverbs 8:17 : 1 Sam 2:30; Ps 91:14; John 14:21; James 1:5
- Proverbs 8:18 : Prov 3:16; Matt 6:33
- Proverbs 8:23 : John 1:1; 1 Cor 1:24
- Proverbs 8:25 : Job 15:7, 8
- Proverbs 8:29 : Job 38:10, 11; Ps 104:6-9; Jer 5:22
- Proverbs 8:30 : Matt 3:17; John 1:2, 18
- Proverbs 8:31 : Ps 16:3
- Proverbs 8:32 : Ps 119:1, 2; 128:1, 2; Luke 11:28