Proverbs 8:1-21 - Wisdom Calls

¹ Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? ² At the top of the elevated places along the way, at the intersection of the paths she takes her stand; ³ beside the gates opening into the city, at the entrance of the doorways she cries out: ⁴ "To you, O people, I call out, and my voice calls to all mankind. ⁵ You who are naive, discern wisdom! And you fools, understand discernment! ⁶ Listen, for I will speak excellent things, and my lips will utter what is right. ⁷ For my mouth speaks truth, and my lips hate wickedness. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them twisted or crooked. ⁹ All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to those who find knowledge. ¹⁰ Receive my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies, and desirable things cannot be compared to her. ¹² "I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. ¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride and the evil way and perverse utterances. ¹⁴ Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; I possess understanding and might. ¹⁵ Kings reign by means of me, and potentates decree righteousness; ¹⁶ by me princes rule, as well as nobles and all righteous judges. ¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. ¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than the purest gold, and what I produce is better than choice silver. ²⁰ I walk in the path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice, ²¹ that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and that I may fill their treasuries.