Proverbs
Chapter 8
1 Doth not wisdom call, and understanding put forth her
voice?
2 In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet,
she standeth;
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming
in at the doors, she crieth aloud:
4 'Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of
men.
5 O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye
of an understanding heart.
6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of
my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an
abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is
nothing perverse or crooked 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 things desirable
are not to be compared unto her.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of
devices.
13 The fear of HaShem 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,
power is mine.
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 earnestly
shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, enduring riches and
righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my
produce than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the
paths of justice;
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
and that I may fill their treasuries.
22 HaShem made me as the beginning of His way, the first of
His works of old.
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 beginning of the dust of the world.
27 When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set
a circle upon the face of the deep,
28 When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of
the deep showed their might,
29 When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should
not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth;
30 Then I was by Him, as a nursling; and I was daily all
delight, playing always before Him,
31 Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with
the sons of men.
32 Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are
they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at
my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of
HaShem.
36 But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they
that hate me love death.'
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