8:1 Doesnt wisdom cry out? Doesnt understanding raise her voice?
8:2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
8:3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
8:4 To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
8:5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
8:6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
8:7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
8:9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
8:10 Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.
8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired cant be compared to it.
8:12 I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
8:13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
8:14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
8:16 By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
8:17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
8:18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.
8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;
8:21 That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
8:22 Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
8:25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth;
8:26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
8:28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
8:29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
8:30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
8:31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
8:32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Dont refuse it.
8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
8:35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.