The Word Am I

The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.(a)
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.(b)
9
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.(c)
13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:(d)
21
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Anticipation of wisdom

22
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.(e) (f)
27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:(g)
28
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

32
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord .(h)
36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Footnotes

(a)8:7 an…: Heb. the abomination of my lips
(b)8:8 froward: Heb. wreathed
(c)8:12 prudence: or, subtilty
(d)8:20 lead: or, walk
(e)8:26 fields: or, open places
(f)8:26 the highest…: or, the chief part
(g)8:27 a compass: or, a circle
(h)8:35 obtain: Heb. bring forth

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

1
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
12
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

Anticipation of wisdom

22
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
28
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
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,
30
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

32
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
34
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
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