The Word Am I

The Proverbs

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- Chapter 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

1
Does not wisdom call out, and prudence bestow her voice?
2
At the summits and the tops of exalted places, standing above the ways, in the midst of the paths,
3
beside the gates of the city, at the very doors, she speaks, saying:
4
“O men, to you I call out, and my voice is to the sons of men.
5
O little ones, understand discernment. And you who are unwise, turn your souls.
6
Listen, for I will speak about great things, and my lips will be opened, so as to foretell what is right.
7
My throat shall practice truth, and my lips shall detest the impious.
8
All my words are just. There is no depravity in them, and no perversity.
9
They are upright to those who understand, and equitable to those who discover knowledge.
10
Accept my discipline, and not money. Choose the doctrine that is greater than gold.
11
For wisdom is better than all that is most precious, and everything that is desirable cannot compare to her.
12
I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and I am inside learned thoughts.
13
The fear of the Lord hates evil. I detest arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.
14
Counsel is mine, and equity. Prudence is mine. Strength is mine.
15
Through me, kings reign and legislators decree just conditions.
16
Through me, princes rule and the powerful decree justice.
17
I love those who love me. And those who stand watch for me until morning shall discover me.
18
With me, are wealth and glory, superb riches and justice.
19
For my fruit is better than gold and precious stones, and my progeny better than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
21
so that I may enrich those who love me, and thus complete their treasures.

Anticipation of wisdom

22
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made anything, from the beginning.
23
I was ordained from eternity, and out of antiquity, before the earth was formed.
24
The abyss did not yet exist, and I was already conceived; neither had the fountains of waters yet erupted.
25
The mountains, with their great mass, had not yet been established. Before the hills, I was brought forth.
26
Still he had not made the earth, and the rivers, and the poles of the globe of the earth.
27
I was already present: when he prepared the heavens; when, with a certain law and a circuit, he fortified the abyss;
28
when he made firm the sky above, and set free the fountains of waters;
29
when he encompassed the sea within its limits, and laid down a law for the waters, lest they transgress their limits; when he weighed the foundations of the earth.
30
I was with him in composing all things. And I was delighted, throughout every day, by playing in his sight at all times,
31
playing in globe of the earth. And my delight was to be with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

32
Therefore, sons, hear me now. Blessed are those who preserve my ways.
33
Listen to discipline, and become wise, and do not be willing to cast it aside.
34
Blessed is the man who listens to me, and who stands watch at my gates every day, and who observes at the posts of my doors.
35
He who finds me, finds life, and he will draw salvation from the Lord.(a)
36
But he who sins against me will wound his own soul. All who hate me love death.”

Footnotes

(a)8:35 Or health, or prosperity from the Lord.(Conte)

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

1
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
12
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

Anticipation of wisdom

22
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
28
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
29
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

32
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
34
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
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