N. Praise of Wisdom........................ 8:1-9:12
Pro 8:1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?Pro 8:2
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.Pro 8:3
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.Pro 8:4
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.Pro 8:5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.Pro 8:6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.Pro 8:7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.Pro 8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.Pro 8:9
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.Pro 8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.Pro 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.Pro 8:12
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.Pro 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Pro 8:14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.Pro 8:15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.Pro 8:16
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.Pro 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.Pro 8:18
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.Pro 8:19
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.Pro 8:20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:Pro 8:21
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.Pro 8:22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.Pro 8:23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.Pro 8:24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.Pro 8:25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:Pro 8:26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.Pro 8:27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:Pro 8:28
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:Pro 8:29
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:Pro 8:30
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;Pro 8:31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.Pro 8:32
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.Pro 8:33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.Pro 8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.Pro 8:35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.Pro 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.Pro 9:1
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:Pro 9:2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.Pro 9:3
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,Pro 9:4
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,Pro 9:5
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.Pro 9:6
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.Pro 9:7
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.Pro 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.Pro 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.Pro 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.Pro 9:11
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.Pro 9:12
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.