Proverbs 8:1-21

Christian Standard Bible

8 Doesn’t wisdom^(A) call out?
Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?
² At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
³ Beside the gates^(B) leading into the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
⁴ “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to the children of Adam.
⁵ Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
⁷ For my mouth tells the truth,^(C)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
⁸ All the words from my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.^(D)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,^(E)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
¹⁰ Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.^(F)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,^(G)
and nothing desirable can equal it.^(H)
12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.^(I)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.^(J)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
¹⁴ I possess good advice and sound wisdom;^[a]
I have understanding and strength.^(K)
15 It is by me that kings reign^(L)
and rulers enact just law;
¹⁶ by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.^[b]
17 I love those who love me,^(M)
and those who search for me find me.^(N)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(O)
lasting wealth and righteousness.^(P)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.^(Q)
20 I walk in the ways of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
²¹ giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.