8:1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
8:2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand
8:3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:
8:4 To you, O men, I call out I raise my voice to all mankind.
8:5 You who are simple, gain prudence you who are foolish, gain understanding.
8:6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say I open my lips to speak what is right.
8:7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8:8 All the words of my mouth are just none of them is crooked or perverse.
8:9 To the discerning all of them are right they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
8:10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
8:11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
8:12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence I possess knowledge and discretion.
8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech.
8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine I have understanding and power.
8:15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just
8:16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. [Many Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint most Hebrew manuscripts and nobles all righteous rulers]
8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
8:18 With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity.
8:19 My fruit is better than fine gold what I yield surpasses choice silver.
8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
8:21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
8:22 The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, [Or way or dominion] [Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work] before his deeds of old
8:23 I was appointed [Or fashioned] from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
8:24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water
8:25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
8:26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
8:27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
8:28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
8:29 when he gave the sea its boundary so that the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
8:30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
8:31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
8:32 Now then, my sons, listen to me blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33 Listen to my instruction and be wise do not ignore it.
8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the LORD.
8:36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself all who hate me love death.