Proverbes 8

1 La sagesse ne crie-t-elle pas? L'intelligence n'élève-t-elle pas sa voix?

2 C'est au sommet des hauteurs près de la route, C'est à la croisée des chemins qu'elle se place;

3 A côté des portes, à l'entrée de la ville, A l'intérieur des portes, elle fait entendre ses cris:

4 Hommes, c'est à vous que je crie, Et ma voix s'adresse aux fils de l'homme.

5 Stupides, apprenez le discernement; Insensés, apprenez l'intelligence.

6 Ecoutez, car j'ai de grandes choses à dire, Et mes lèvres s'ouvrent pour enseigner ce qui est droit.

7 Car ma bouche proclame la vérité, Et mes lèvres ont en horreur le mensonge;

8 Toutes les paroles de ma bouche sont justes, Elles n'ont rien de faux ni de détourné;

9 Toutes sont claires pour celui qui est intelligent, Et droites pour ceux qui ont trouvé la science.

10 Préférez mes instructions à l'argent, Et la science à l'or le plus précieux;

11 Car la sagesse vaut mieux que les perles, Elle a plus de valeur que tous les objets de prix.

12 Moi, la sagesse, j'ai pour demeure le discernement, Et je possède la science de la réflexion.

13 La crainte de l'Eternel, c'est la haine du mal; L'arrogance et l'orgueil, la voie du mal, Et la bouche perverse, voilà ce que je hais.

14 Le conseil et le succès m'appartiennent; Je suis l'intelligence, la force est à moi.

15 Par moi les rois règnent, Et les princes ordonnent ce qui est juste;

16 Par moi gouvernent les chefs, Les grands, tous les juges de la terre.

17 J'aime ceux qui m'aiment, Et ceux qui me cherchent me trouvent.

18 Avec moi sont la richesse et la gloire, Les biens durables et la justice.

19 Mon fruit est meilleur que l'or, que l'or pur, Et mon produit est préférable à l'argent.

20 Je marche dans le chemin de la justice, Au milieu des sentiers de la droiture,

21 Pour donner des biens à ceux qui m'aiment, Et pour remplir leurs trésors.

22 L'Eternel m'a créée la première de ses oeuvres, Avant ses oeuvres les plus anciennes.

23 J'ai été établie depuis l'éternité, Dès le commencement, avant l'origine de la terre.

24 Je fus enfantée quand il n'y avait point d'abîmes, Point de sources chargées d'eaux;

25 Avant que les montagnes soient affermies, Avant que les collines existent, je fus enfantée;

26 Il n'avait encore fait ni la terre, ni les campagnes, Ni le premier atome de la poussière du monde.

27 Lorsqu'il disposa les cieux, j'étais là; Lorsqu'il traça un cercle à la surface de l'abîme,

28 Lorsqu'il fixa les nuages en haut, Et que les sources de l'abîme jaillirent avec force,

29 Lorsqu'il donna une limite à la mer, Pour que les eaux n'en franchissent pas les bords, Lorsqu'il posa les fondements de la terre,

30 J'étais à l'oeuvre auprès de lui, Et je faisais tous les jours ses délices, Jouant sans cesse en sa présence,

31 Jouant sur le globe de sa terre, Et trouvant mon bonheur parmi les fils de l'homme.

32 Et maintenant, mes fils, écoutez-moi, Et heureux ceux qui observent mes voies!

33 Ecoutez l'instruction, pour devenir sages, Ne la rejetez pas.

34 Heureux l'homme qui m'écoute, Qui veille chaque jour à mes portes, Et qui en garde les poteaux!

35 Car celui qui me trouve a trouvé la vie, Et il obtient la faveur de l'Eternel.

36 Mais celui qui pèche contre moi nuit à son âme; Tous ceux qui me haïssent aiment la mort.

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Proverbes 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. (1-11) The nature and riches of Wisdom. (12-21) Christ one with the Father, in the creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of man. (22-31) Exhortations to hear Christ's word. (32-36)

Verses 1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold.

Verses 12-21 Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are from the Lord. Through the redemption of Christ's precious blood, the riches of his grace abound in all wisdom and prudence. Man found out many inventions for ruin; God found one for our recovery. He hates pride and arrogance, evil ways and froward conversation; these render men unwilling to hear his humbling, awakening, holy instructions. True religion gives men the best counsel in all difficult cases, and helps to make their way plain. His wisdom makes all truly happy who receive it in the love of Christ Jesus. Seek him early, seek him earnestly, seek him before any thing else. Christ never said, Seek in vain. Those who love Christ, are such as have seen his loveliness, and have had his love shed abroad in their hearts; therefore they are happy. They shall be happy in this world, or in that which is beyond compare better. Wealth gotten by vanity will soon be diminished, but that which is well got, will wear well; and that which is well spent upon works of piety and charity, will be lasting. If they have not riches and honour in this world, they shall have that which is infinitely better. They shall be happy in the grace of God. Christ, by his Spirit, guides believers into all truth, and so leads them in the way of righteousness; and they walk after the Spirit. Also, they shall be happy in the glory of God hereafter. In Wisdom's promises, believers have goods laid up, not for days and years, but for eternity; her fruit therefore is better than gold.

Verses 22-31 The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?

Verses 32-36 Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed are those who hear the Saviour's voice, and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we obtain God's favour, unless we find Christ, and are found in him. Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 8

This chapter contains the instructions of Wisdom or Christ; showing the excellency of them, and the author of them, in opposition to the harlot and her allurements, in the preceding chapter. Christ, under the name of Wisdom, is represented as an herald, publishing the Gospel in the ministry of the word, either in person or by his servants, Pr 8:1. The places where this proclamation is made are described, Pr 8:2,3; the persons to whom, Pr 8:4,5. The excellency of the things delivered, being right things; truth, agreeably to the word of God, plain and easy to be understood, and of more worth than gold, silver, and precious stones, Pr 8:6-11. And then Wisdom, or Christ, is commended and recommended by his consummate prudence and knowledge, by his hatred of evil, and by his influence on the political affairs of kings and princes, Pr 8:12-16; and the advantages of those that are early seekers of him are pointed out; their enjoyment of his favour, of his riches, honour and righteousness; and their being led by him in right paths now, and inheriting eternal glory hereafter, Pr 8:17-21. And next follows an account of his existence from eternity as a divine Person, illustrated by a variety of phrases, Pr 8:22-29; and of his being with the Father; of his great affection for him, and complacency in him; and of Christ's wonderful delight and pleasure in the sons of men, Pr 8:30,31. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to them to hearken to his instructions; setting forth the happiness of those that wait on him in public ordinances, and find him; and the misery of those that hate and reject him.