22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[a][b]
    before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;(A)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(B)
    before the hills, I was given birth,(C)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.(D)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(E)
    when he marked out the horizon(F) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(G)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(H)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(I)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,(J)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(K)
30     Then I was constantly[c] at his side.(L)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.(M)

32 “Now then, my children, listen(N) to me;
    blessed are(O) those who keep my ways.(P)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(Q) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(R) find life(S)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(T)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(U)
    all who hate me love death.”(V)

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom has built(W) her house;
    she has set up[d] its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(X)
    she has also set her table.(Y)
She has sent out her servants, and she calls(Z)
    from the highest point of the city,(AA)
    “Let all who are simple(AB) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(AC) she says,
    “Come,(AD) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.(AE)
Leave your simple ways and you will live;(AF)
    walk in the way of insight.”(AG)

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(AH)
Do not rebuke mockers(AI) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(AJ)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  2. Proverbs 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
  3. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
  4. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out