Proverbs 8-9

Wisdom’s Call 1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

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;

23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30Then I was constantly Or was the artisan; or was a little child at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

32“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD . 36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly 1Wisdom has built her house; she has set up Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out its seven pillars.

2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,

4“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

5“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

7Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For through wisdom Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.

14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,

16“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” 18But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.