The Proverbs

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- Chapter 8 -

An incarnation of wisdom. An invocation of wisdom

Doth not wisedome crie? and vnderstanding vtter her voyce?

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

She cryeth besides the gates before the citie at the entrie of the doores,

O men, I call vnto you, and vtter my voyce to the children of men.

O ye foolish men, vnderstand wisedome, and ye, O fooles, be wise in heart.

Giue eare, for I will speake of excellent things, and the opening of my lippes, shall teache things that be right.

For my mouth shall speake the trueth, and my lippes abhorre wickednesse.

All the wordes of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdenes, nor frowardnesse in them.

They are all plaine to him that will vnderstande, and streight to them that woulde finde knowledge.

Receiue mine instruction, and not siluer, and knowledge rather then fine golde.

For wisdome is better then precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared vnto her.

I wisdome dwell with prudence, and I find foorth knowledge and counsels.

The feare of the Lord is to hate euill as pride, and arrogancie, and the euill way: and a mouth that speaketh lewde things, I doe hate.

I haue counsell and wisedome: I am vnderstanding, and I haue strength.

By me, Kings reigne, and princes decree iustice.

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

I loue them that loue me: and they that seeke me earely, shall finde me.

Riches and honour are with me: euen durable riches and righteousnesse.

My fruite is better then golde, euen then fine golde, and my reuenues better then fine siluer.

I cause to walke in the way of righteousnes, and in the middes of the paths of iudgement,

That I may cause them that loue me, to inherite substance, and I will fill their treasures.

Anticipation of wisdom

The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was before his workes of olde.

I was set vp from euerlasting, from the beginning and before the earth.

When there were no depths, was I begotten, when there were no fountaines abounding with water.

Before the mountaines were setled: and before the hilles, was I begotten.

He had not yet made the earth, nor the open places, nor the height of the dust in the worlde.

When hee prepared the heauens, I was there, when he set the compasse vpon the deepe.

When he established the cloudes aboue, when he confirmed the fountaines of the deepe,

When he gaue his decree to the Sea, that the waters shoulde not passe his commandement: when he appointed the foundations of the earth,

Then was I with him as a nourisher, and I was dayly his delight reioycing alway before him,

And tooke my solace in the compasse of his earth: and my delite is with the children of men.

Call to wisdom

Therefore nowe hearken, O children, vnto me: for blessed are they that keepe my wayes.

Heare instruction, and be ye wise, and refuse it not: blessed is the man that heareth mee, watching dayly at my gates, and giuing attendance at the postes of my doores.

For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shall obteine fauour of the Lord.

But he that sinneth against me, hurteth his owne soule: and all that hate me, loue 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.”