Proverbs

Chapter 8

8:1

¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

8:2

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

8:3

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

8:4

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

8:6

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

8:7

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8:8

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

8:9

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

8:10

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

8:12

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

8:13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

8:14

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

8:15

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

8:16

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

8:17

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

8:18

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

8:19

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

8:20

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

8:21

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

8:22

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

8:23

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

8:24

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

8:25

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

8:26

While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

8:27

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

8:28

When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

8:29

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

8:30

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

8:31

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

8:32

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

8:33

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

8:34

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

8:35

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

8:36

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.