Proverbs 8:1-36 CEB

[1] Doesn’t Wisdom cry out and Understanding shout? [2] Atop the heights along the path, at the crossroads she takes her stand. [3] By the gate before the city, at the entrances she shouts: [4] I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity. [5] Understand skill, you who are naive. Take this to heart, you fools. [6] Listen, for I speak things that are correct; from my lips comes what is right. [7] My mouth utters the truth; my lips despise wickedness. [8] All the words of my mouth are righteous; nothing in them is twisted or crooked. [9] All of them are straightforward to those who understand, and upright for the knowledgeable. [10] Take my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold. [11] Wisdom is better than pearls; nothing is more delightful than she. [12] I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence; I have found knowledge and discretion. [13] To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, the path of evil and corrupt speech. [14] I have advice and ability, as well as understanding and strength. [15] By me kings rule, and princes issue righteous decrees. [16] By me rulers govern, and officials judge righteously. [17] I love those who love me; those who seek me will find me. [18] Riches and honor are with me, as well as enduring wealth and righteousness. [19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold; my crops are better than choice silver. [20] I walk on the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice, [21] to provide for those who love me and to fill up their treasuries. [22] The LORD created me at the beginning of his way, before his deeds long in the past. [23] I was formed in ancient times, at the beginning, before the earth was. [24] When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs flowing with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth; [26] before God made the earth and the fields or the first of the dry land. [27] I was there when he established the heavens, when he marked out the horizon on the deep sea, [28] when he thickened the clouds above, when he secured the fountains of the deep, [29] when he set a limit for the sea, so the water couldn’t go beyond his command, when he marked out the earth’s foundations. [30] I was beside him as a master of crafts. I was having fun, smiling before him all the time, [31] frolicking with his inhabited earth and delighting in the human race. [32] Now children, listen to me: Happy are those who keep to my ways! [33] Listen to instruction, and be wise; don’t avoid it. [34] Happy are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorposts. [35] Those who find me find life; they gain favor from the LORD. [36] Those who offend me injure themselves; all those who hate me love death.