Proverbs 8

1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

It is as if wisdom, with great understanding [of many things], is calling [PRS] out [to people].

2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.

3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

[Wisdom also stands] at the city gates and shouts loudly,

4 “I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

“I am calling to everyone! I am shouting loudly to all people!

5 You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

You people who do not know how to do things that are smart to do, get sound judgment; you foolish people, get good understanding!

6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.

7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

I speak what is true; I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

Everything that I say is honest; there is nothing that I say that deceives [people].

9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

My words are clear to those who have good sense; those who are wise know that what I say is right.

10 Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

[If someone offers you the kind of teaching I give] or offers you silver, choose my teaching. [If he offers to show you how to be wise] or offers you gold, choose to know how to be wise,

11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

because wisdom is more valuable than jewels. Nothing that you desire [is as valuable] as being wise.

12 “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

I, wisdom, and understanding of what is smart to do, cannot be separated. We are like two people who live in the same house. I know how to be wise and how to make smart decisions.

13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

[All the people] who revere Yahweh hate evil. I, wisdom, hate [people who are] proud and [people] who think they are more important [than others]. I hate [people who] behave in an evil way and those who say things to deceive [others].

14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

I give [people] good advice and I enable them to do things that are wise. I understand how things really are, and I am strong.

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

When kings are wise, they rule [well]; and when rulers are wise, they make laws that are just/fair.

16 By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

Rulers govern their people with the help of me, wisdom, and those who have authority decide things fairly/just with my help.

17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

I, [wisdom], love [all] those who love me, and [all] those who truly seek me [will] find me.

18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

I enable [people] to become rich and to be honored; [I enable them to have] wealth that will last and to be successful.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

I always do what is righteous and just/fair.

21 that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

I give wealth to those who love me; I fill their houses with valuable things.

22 “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

Yahweh created me, [wisdom], when he began [to create the world]; he created me [to do my work] before he created anything else.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.

24 When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

I was born before the oceans were [created], when there were no springs from which water flowed.

25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;

26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

[I, wisdom], was born before Yahweh made the earth, before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

I was there when Yahweh put the sky in place, when he marked the place [in the distance] where the sky and the oceans [seem to] come together.

28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

I was there when Yahweh put the clouds above [the earth] and when he caused the water that is inside the earth to be secure.

29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

I was there when he fixed a boundary for the seas, so that the water in the seas would not go past those boundaries, and when he put down the foundations which support the earth.

30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

I was at the side of Yahweh, the master worker (OR, as though I was his child). I caused him to be happy every day, and I was always rejoicing when I was with him.

31 rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

I was delighted with the world that he created; I was happy with the people whom he created, too.

32 “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

So, [you people who are like] my sons, listen to me. [I am] pleased with [all] those who obey my teachings.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

Listen [carefully] to what I teach you and become wise. Do not reject my teaching!

34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

[I am] pleased with those who listen to me, those who are outside my house every day, waiting [for me to come out].

35 For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

Those who find me will have [a long] life, and Yahweh [will] be pleased with them.

36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”

But those who stray away from me [just] harm themselves. All those who hate me, [it is as though] [IRO] they are loving death.”