Proverbs 8:1-36 (Today's New International Version)

Wisdom's Call

1 Does not wisdom call out?¹ Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:² 4 "To you, O people, I call out;³ I raise my voice to all humankind. 5 You who are simple,⁴ gain prudence;⁵ you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^a 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7 My mouth speaks what is true,⁶ for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,⁷ 11 for wisdom is more precious⁸ than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.⁹ 12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.¹⁰ 13 To fear the LORD¹¹ is to hate evil;¹² I hate¹³ pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.¹⁴ 15 By me kings reign and rulers¹⁵ issue decrees that are just; 16 by me princes govern,¹⁶ and nobles--all who rule on earth.^b 17 I love those who love me,¹⁷ and those who seek me find me.¹⁸ 18 With me are riches and honor,¹⁹ enduring wealth and prosperity.²⁰ 19 My fruit is better than fine gold;²¹ what I yield surpasses choice silver.²² 20 I walk in the way of righteousness,²³ along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.²⁴ 22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,^{c d} before his deeds of old; 23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;²⁵ 25 before the mountains were settled in place,²⁶ before the hills, I was given birth,²⁷ 26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.²⁸ 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,²⁹ when he marked out the horizon³⁰ on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above³¹ and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,³² 29 when he gave the sea its boundary³³ so the waters would not overstep his command,³⁴ and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.³⁵ 30 Then I was constantly^e at his side.³⁶ I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in humankind.³⁷ 32 "Now then, my children, listen³⁸ to me; blessed are³⁹ those who keep my ways.⁴⁰ 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34 Blessed are those who listen⁴¹ to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For those who find me⁴² find life⁴³ and receive favor from the LORD.⁴⁴ 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;⁴⁵ all who hate me love death."⁴⁶