Shared Word Translation
Proverbs 8
Wisdom Calls
Does not Wisdom call?
Does not Understanding
raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads,
she takes her stand.
Beside the gates,
at the entrance to the city,
at the entryways
she cries aloud:
“To you, human beings, I call,
and my voice is directed
to all humanity.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, gain an understanding heart.
My Mouth Speaks Truth
Listen,
for I will speak noble things,
and the opening of my lips
will bring what is right.
For my mouth speaks truth,
and wickedness is an abomination
to my lips.
All the words of my mouth
are righteous;
there is nothing twisted
or crooked in them.
They are all straightforward
to the discerning
and right to those
who find knowledge.
Receive my discipline
rather than silver,
and knowledge
rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and nothing you desire
can compare with her.
Wisdom and Prudence
I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge
and discretion.
The fear of the LORD
is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance,
the evil way,
and a perverse mouth
I hate.
Counsel and sound wisdom are mine;
I am understanding;
strength is mine.
By me kings reign,
and rulers decree
what is just.
By me princes rule,
and nobles—
all who judge with righteousness.
I love those who love me,
and those who diligently seek me
will find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth
and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold,
even fine gold,
and my yield
than choice silver.
I walk in the path of righteousness,
in the midst
of the paths of justice,
giving an inheritance
to those who love me
and filling their treasuries.
Wisdom Before the World
The LORD possessed me
at the beginning of the LORD’s way,
before the works of old.
From ancient times I was established,
from the beginning,
before the earth.
When there were no depths,
I was brought forth,
when there were no springs
abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills,
I was brought forth,
before the LORD had made the earth
and the open fields,
or the first dust
of the world.
When the LORD established the heavens,
I was there;
when the LORD inscribed a circle
on the face of the deep;
when the LORD made firm
the skies above,
when the springs of the deep
were established;
when the LORD set a boundary for the sea
so that the waters would not cross the command,
when the LORD marked out
the foundations of the earth—
then I was beside the LORD,
like a master worker;
I was a delight day after day,
rejoicing before the LORD always,
rejoicing in the LORD’s inhabited world
and delighting
in humanity.
Whoever Finds Me Finds Life
And now, children, listen to me:
blessed are those
who keep my ways.
Hear discipline
and become wise;
do not neglect it.
Blessed is the one
who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting beside my entrances.
For whoever finds me
finds life
and obtains favor
from the LORD.
But whoever sins against me
harms their own life;
all who hate me
love death.”