77 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
77 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 8
|
||
1 Listen as Wisdom calls out!
|
||
Hear as understanding raises her voice!
|
||
2 On the hilltop along the road,
|
||
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
|
||
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
|
||
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
|
||
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
|
||
I raise my voice to all people.
|
||
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
|
||
You foolish people, show some understanding.
|
||
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
|
||
Everything I say is right,
|
||
7 for I speak the truth
|
||
and detest every kind of deception.
|
||
8 My advice is wholesome.
|
||
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
|
||
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
|
||
clear to those with knowledge.
|
||
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
|
||
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
|
||
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
|
||
Nothing you desire can compare with it.
|
||
12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
|
||
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
|
||
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
|
||
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
|
||
corruption and perverse speech.
|
||
14 Common sense and success belong to me.
|
||
Insight and strength are mine.
|
||
15 Because of me, kings reign,
|
||
and rulers make just decrees.
|
||
16 Rulers lead with my help,
|
||
and nobles make righteous judgments.
|
||
17 “I love all who love me.
|
||
Those who search will surely find me.
|
||
18 I have riches and honor,
|
||
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
|
||
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
|
||
my wages better than sterling silver!
|
||
20 I walk in righteousness,
|
||
in paths of justice.
|
||
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
|
||
I will fill their treasuries.
|
||
22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,
|
||
before he created anything else.
|
||
23 I was appointed in ages past,
|
||
at the very first, before the earth began.
|
||
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
|
||
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
|
||
25 Before the mountains were formed,
|
||
before the hills, I was born—
|
||
26 before he had made the earth and fields
|
||
and the first handfuls of soil.
|
||
27 I was there when he established the heavens,
|
||
when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
|
||
28 I was there when he set the clouds above,
|
||
when he established springs deep in the earth.
|
||
29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,
|
||
so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.
|
||
And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
|
||
30 I was the architect at his side.
|
||
I was his constant delight,
|
||
rejoicing always in his presence.
|
||
31 And how happy I was with the world he created;
|
||
how I rejoiced with the human family!
|
||
32 “And so, my children, listen to me,
|
||
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
|
||
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
|
||
Don’t ignore it.
|
||
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
|
||
watching for me daily at my gates,
|
||
waiting for me outside my home!
|
||
35 For whoever finds me finds life
|
||
and receives favor from the Lord.
|
||
36 But those who miss me injure themselves.
|
||
All who hate me love death.” |