14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(A)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(B) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(C)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,(D)
    and those who seek me find me.(E)
18 With me are riches and honor,(F)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(G)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(H)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.(I)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(J)
    along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.(K)

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[b][c]
    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;(L)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(M)
    before the hills, I was given birth,(N)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.(O)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
  2. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  3. 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

Bible Gateway Recommends