Proverbs 8 :: New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom’s Call

Pro 8:1

Pro 8:1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Pro 8:2

Pro 8:2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Pro 8:3

Pro 8:3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

Pro 8:4

Pro 8:4“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

Pro 8:5

Pro 8:5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[fn]

Pro 8:6

Pro 8:6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

Pro 8:7

Pro 8:7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

Pro 8:8

Pro 8:8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

Pro 8:9

Pro 8:9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Pro 8:10

Pro 8:10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

Pro 8:11

Pro 8:11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Pro 8:12

Pro 8:12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

Pro 8:13

Pro 8:13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Pro 8:14

Pro 8:14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

Pro 8:15

Pro 8:15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

Pro 8:16

Pro 8:16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.[fn]

Pro 8:17

Pro 8:17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Pro 8:18

Pro 8:18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

Pro 8:19

Pro 8:19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

Pro 8:20

Pro 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

Pro 8:21

Pro 8:21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Pro 8:22

Pro 8:22“The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,[fn][fn] before his deeds of old;

Pro 8:23

Pro 8:23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

Pro 8:24

Pro 8:24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;

Pro 8:25

Pro 8:25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

Pro 8:26

Pro 8:26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

Pro 8:27

Pro 8:27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

Pro 8:28

Pro 8:28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

Pro 8:29

Pro 8:29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Pro 8:30

Pro 8:30Then I was constantly[fn] at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

Pro 8:31

Pro 8:31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Pro 8:32

Pro 8:32“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

Pro 8:33

Pro 8:33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Pro 8:34

Pro 8:34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

Pro 8:35

Pro 8:35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.

Pro 8:36

Pro 8:36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(8:5)

Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

(8:16)

Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

(8:22)

Or way; or dominion

(8:22)

Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work

(8:30)

Or was the artisan; or was a little child

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