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8:1  Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice?
8:2  On the top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;
8:3  Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
8:4  “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is directed to the sons of men.
8:5  “O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].
8:6  “Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
8:7  “For my mouth will utter truth, And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.
8:8  “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God); There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.
8:9  “They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind], And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
8:10  “Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver, And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,
8:11  “For wisdom is better than rubies; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
8:12  “I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense], And I find knowledge and discretion.
8:13  “The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
8:14  “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power and strength are mine.
8:15  “By me kings reign And rulers decide and decree justice.
8:16  “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge and govern rightly.
8:17  “I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.
8:18  “Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).
8:19  “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield is better than choicest silver.
8:20  “I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
8:21  That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches, And that I may fill their treasuries.
8:22  “The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old [were accomplished].
8:23  “From everlasting I was established and ordained, From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].
8:24  “When there were no ocean depths I was born, When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.
8:25  “Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was born;
8:26  While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Or the first of the dust of the earth.
8:27  “When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,
8:28  When He made firm the skies above, When the fountains and springs of the deep became fixed and strong,
8:29  When He set for the sea its boundary So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth—
8:30  Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight; Rejoicing before Him always,
8:31  Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.
8:32  “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.
8:33  “Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise, And do not ignore or neglect it.
8:34  “Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.
8:35  “For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life And obtains favor and grace from the Lord.
8:36  “But he who fails to find me or sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love and court death.”