Proverbs 8

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

Isn't wisdom calling? Isn't understanding raising her voice?

2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.

On the top of the hill by the road, she stands up at the crossroads.

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

Beside the gates of the town, right there at the entrance, she cries out:

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

“I'm calling out to you, everyone! My call is to everyone in the whole world!

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

If you're immature, learn how to grow up. If you're stupid, learn what makes good sense.

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

Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.

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

I say what's right, because I tell the truth and I hate wickedness in all its forms.

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

All the words I say are true; none are false or misleading.

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

My words are straightforward to anyone with understanding; they are correct to those who have knowledge.

10 [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,

Choose my instruction over silver; choose knowledge over pure gold.

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

For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!

12 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.

I, wisdom, am at home with good decisions. I know how to find knowledge and discernment.

13 [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].

Honoring the Lord means hating evil. So I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behavior and telling lies.

14 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.

I have advice and good judgment; I know what makes sense, and I have power.

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

It's because of me that kings reign, and rulers issue fair decrees.

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

It's because of me that leaders and nobles govern—all who rule justly.

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

I love those who love me, and those who really look for me will find me.

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

With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.

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

The fruit I produce is better than gold, even pure gold, and my harvest is better than even the best silver.

20 I always do what is righteous and just/fair.

I live in a way that's right; I follow the paths of justice.

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

I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.

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

The Lord created me first of all; I was made before anything else.

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

I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.

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

I was born when there were no ocean depths, when there were no springs pouring out water.

25 I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;

I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,

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

when he hadn't made the earth and its fields or any of the earth's dust.

27 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.

I was there when he placed the heavens in position, when he drew the horizon over the ocean,

28 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.

when he made the clouds in the sky above, when he created the springs of the oceans,

29 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.

when he set limits on the sea so that the waters would not go farther than he ordered, and when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

30 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.

Then I was beside him as a master craftsman. I made him happy every day, and I was always full of joy in his presence.

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

I was so happy in the world he created, celebrating together with human beings.

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

And now, my sons, listen to me, for happy are those who follow my ways.

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

Listen to my instruction and be wise—do not reject it.

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

Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me every day at my doors, waiting at my entrance way.

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

For those who find me, find life, and are accepted by the Lord.

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

But those who don't find me hurt themselves; everyone who hates me loves death.”