Proverbi 8

1 LA Sapienza non grida ella? E la Prudenza non dà ella fuori la sua voce?

2 Ella sta in piè in capo de’ luoghi elevati, in su la via, Ne’ crocicchi.

3 Ella grida presso alle porte, alla bocca della città, All’entrata degli usci delle case,

4 Dicendo: Io grido a voi, o uomini principali; E la mia voce s’indirizza ancora al volgo.

5 Semplici, intendete che cosa sia avvedimento; E voi stolti, intendete che cosa sia buon senno.

6 Ascoltate; perciocchè io proporrò cose eccellenti; L’aprir delle mie labbra sarà di cose diritte.

7 Conciossiachè il mio palato ragionerà di verità; Ma l’empietà è ciò che le mie labbra abbominano.

8 Tutti i detti della mia bocca son con giustizia; In essi non vi è nulla di torto o di perverso.

9 Essi tutti son diritti agl’intendenti, E bene addirizzati a coloro che hanno trovata la scienza.

10 Ricevete il mio ammaestramento, e non dell’argento; E scienza, anzi che oro eletto.

11 Perciocchè la sapienza è migliore che le perle; E tutte le cose le più care non l’agguagliano.

12 Io, la Sapienza, abito nell’avvedimento, E trovo la conoscenza de’ buoni avvisi.

13 Il timor del Signore è odiare il male; Io odio la superbia, e l’alterezza, e la via della malvagità, E la bocca perversa.

14 A me appartiene il consiglio e la buona ragione; Io son la prudenza; a me appartiene la forza.

15 Per me regnano i re, Ed i rettori fanno statuti di giustizia.

16 Per me signoreggiano i signori, Ed i principi, e tutti i giudici della terra.

17 Io amo quelli che mi amano; E quelli che mi cercano mi troveranno.

18 Ricchezze e gloria son meco; Beni permanenti e giustizia.

19 Il mio frutto è migliore che oro, anzi che oro finissimo; E la mia rendita migliore che argento eletto.

20 Io cammino per la via della giustizia, In mezzo de’ sentieri della dirittura;

21 Per fare eredare il vero essere a quelli che mi amano, Ed empiere i lor tesori.

22 IL Signore mi possedeva al principio della sua via, Avanti le sue opere, ab eterno.

23 Io sono stata costituita in principato ab eterno, Dal principio, avanti che la terra fosse.

24 Avanti che fossero abissi, Nè fonti, nè gorghi d’acque, io fui prodotta.

25 Io fui prodotta innanzi che i monti fossero profondati, Avanti i colli;

26 Mentre egli non avea ancora fatta la terra, nè le campagne, Nè la sommità del terreno del mondo.

27 Quando egli ordinava i cieli, io v’era; Quando egli disegnava il giro sopra la superficie dell’abisso;

28 Quando egli fermava il cielo disopra; Quando egli fortificava le fonti dell’abisso;

29 Quando egli poneva il suo termine al mare, Talchè le acque non possono trapassare il suo comandamento; Quando egli poneva i fondamenti della terra;

30 Ed era appo lui come un allievo, Ed era le sue delizie tuttodì; Io mi sollazzava in ogni tempo nel suo cospetto.

31 Io mi sollazzo nella parte abitata della sua terra; Ed i miei diletti sono co’ figliuoli degli uomini.

32 Ora dunque, figliuoli, ascoltatemi: Beati coloro che osservano le mie vie.

33 Ascoltate l’ammaestramento, e diventate savi, E non lo schifate.

34 Beato l’uomo che mi ascolta, Per vegliar tuttodì presso a’ miei usci; Per istare a guardia agli stipiti delle mie porte.

35 Perciocchè chi mi trova, trova la vita, Ed ottiene benevolenza dal Signore.

36 Ma chi pecca contro a me fa ingiuria all’anima sua; Tutti quelli che mi odiano amano la morte.

Proverbi 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.

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.