Proverbs 8:1-21 - Wisdom Calls

¹ Is not wisdom crying out, and the voice of knowledge sounding? ² At the top of the highways, at the meeting of the roads, she takes her place; ³ Where the roads go into the town her cry goes out, at the doorways her voice is loud: ⁴ I am crying out to you, O men; my voice comes to the sons of men. ⁵ Become expert in reason, O you simple ones; you foolish ones, take training to heart. ⁶ Give ear, for my words are true, and my lips are open to give out what is upright. ⁷ For good faith goes out of my mouth, and false lips are disgusting to me. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteousness; there is nothing false or twisted in them. ⁹ They are all true to him whose mind is awake, and straightforward to those who get knowledge. ¹⁰ Take my teaching, and not silver; get knowledge in place of the best gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than jewels, and all things which may be desired are nothing in comparison with her. ¹² I, wisdom, have made wise behaviour my near relation; I am seen to be the special friend of wise purposes. ¹³ The fear of the Lord is seen in hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false tongue, are unpleasing to me. ¹⁴ Wise design and good sense are mine; reason and strength are mine. ¹⁵ Through me kings have their power, and rulers give right decisions. ¹⁶ Through me chiefs have authority, and the noble ones are judging in righteousness. ¹⁷ Those who have given me their love are loved by me, and those who make search for me with care will get me. ¹⁸ Wealth and honour are in my hands, even wealth without equal and righteousness. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even than the best gold; and my increase is more to be desired than silver. ²⁰ I go in the road of righteousness, in the way of right judging: ²¹ So that I may give my lovers wealth for their heritage, making their store-houses full.