Proverbs 8:1-21
Authorized (King James) Version
8 Doth not wisdom cry?
and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places,
by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city,
at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call;
and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom:
and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;
and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth;
and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth,
and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver;
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies;
and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence,
and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me;
and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me;
yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness,
in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.