Proverbs 8

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

2 Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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.

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].

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.”