In Praise of Wisdom
8
1 With great understanding,
Wisdom i 8.1,12 Wisdom: See the note at 1.20. is calling out
|
8
Chapter recording List of all recordings of KJV
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
|
2 as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.
|
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
|
3 She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:
|
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
|
4 “I am calling out
to each one of you!
|
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
|
5 Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.
|
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
|
6 Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.
|
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
|
7 I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.
|
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. an...: Heb. the abomination of my lips
|
8 Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.
|
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. froward: Heb. wreathed
|
9 “If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.
|
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
|
10 Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you
than silver
or the finest gold.
|
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
|
11 Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.”
|
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
|
Wisdom Speaks
12 I am Wisdom i 8.1,12 Wisdom: See the note at 1.20. —Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.
|
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. prudence: or, subtilty
|
13 If you respect the Lord,
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.
|
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 I am strong,
and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.
|
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
|
15 By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.
|
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
|
16 Every honest leader rules
with help from me.
|
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
|
17 I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.
|
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
|
18 I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.
|
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
|
19 What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.
|
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
|
20 I always do what is right,
|
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: lead: or, walk
|
21 and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.
|
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
|
22 From the beginning,
I was with the Lord. j 8.22 From the beginning ... with the Lord: Or “In the very beginning, the Lord created me.”
I was there before he began
|
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
|
23 to create the earth.
At the very first,
the Lord gave life to k 8.23 gave life to: Or “formed.” me.
|
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
|
24 When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.
|
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
|
25 My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.
|
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
|
26 It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.
|
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. fields: or, open places the highest...: or, the chief part
|
27 I was there when the Lord 8.27-31 Ws 9.9; Si 24.3-6.
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
|
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: a compass: or, a circle
|
28 I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
|
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
|
29 I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
|
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 I was right beside the Lord,
helping him plan and build. l 8.30 helping ... build: Or “like his own child.”
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
|
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
|
31 I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
|
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
|
32 Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
|
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
|
33 Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.
|
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
|
34 Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.
|
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
|
35 By finding me, you find life,
and the Lord will be pleased
with you.
|
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. obtain: Heb. bring forth
|
36 But if you don't find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.
|
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
|
© 1999 American Bible Society |
|