Proverbs 8 · משלי

Does not wisdom call? and understanding put forth her voice?

She stands at the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet.

She cries out at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in of the doors.

To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

O you simple, understand prudence: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.

Hear; for I will speak excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be rectitude.

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

They are all plain to him that understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the sly mouth I hate.

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

I love those who love me; and those who seek me early shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my produce than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice:

That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

The Lord created me as the beginning of his way, the first of his works of old.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth was.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

while as yet he had not made the earth, or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.

When he established the heavens, I was there: when he drew a circle over the surface of the deep:

when he established the clouds above: when the fountains of the deep became strong:

when he gave to the sea its decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

then I was by him, as a nurseling: and I was daily his delight, playing always before him;

playing with the universe, his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Now therefore hearken to me, O you children: for happy are they who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

Happy is the man who hearkens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour of the Lord.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they who hate me love death.