The Proverbs

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- Kapitel 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice?

Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths.

Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying:

O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

O little ones, understand subtilty, and ye unwise, take notice.

Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.

My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.

All my words are just, there is nothing wicked nor perverse in them.

They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.

For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.

I wisdom dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts.

The fear of the Lord hateth evil: I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.

Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.

By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things,

By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.

I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.

With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.

For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.

I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,

That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.

Anticipation of wisdom

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning.

I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made.

The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out:

The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:

He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.

When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths:

When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:

When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when be balanced the foundations of the earth;

I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times;

Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.

Call to wisdom

Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways.

Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.

He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord:

But he that shall sin against me, shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death.

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

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

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

Anticipation of wisdom

“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

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,

then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

Call to wisdom

“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”