Proverbs 8:1-36 GNT

[1] Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard. [2] On the hilltops near the road and at the crossroads she stands. [3] At the entrance to the city, beside the gates, she calls: [4] "I appeal to all of you; I call to everyone on earth. [5] Are you immature? Learn to be mature. Are you foolish? Learn to have sense. [6] Listen to my excellent words; all I tell you is right. [7] What I say is the truth; lies are hateful to me. [8] Everything I say is true; nothing is false or misleading. [9] To those with insight, it is all clear; to the well-informed, it is all plain. [10] Choose my instruction instead of silver; choose knowledge rather than the finest gold. [11] "I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels; nothing you want can compare with me. [12] I am Wisdom, and I have insight; I have knowledge and sound judgment. [13] To honor the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words. [14] I make plans and carry them out. I have understanding, and I am strong. [15] I help kings to govern and rulers to make good laws. [16] Every ruler on earth governs with my help, officials and nobles alike. [17] I love those who love me; whoever looks for me can find me. [18] I have riches and honor to give, prosperity and success. [19] What you get from me is better than the finest gold, better than the purest silver. [20] I walk the way of righteousness; I follow the paths of justice, [21] giving wealth to those who love me, filling their houses with treasures. [22] "The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago. [23] I was made in the very beginning, at the first, before the world began. [24] I was born before the oceans, when there were no springs of water. [25] I was born before the mountains, before the hills were set in place, [26] before God made the earth and its fields or even the first handful of soil. [27] I was there when he set the sky in place, when he stretched the horizon across the ocean, [28] when he placed the clouds in the sky, when he opened the springs of the ocean [29] and ordered the waters of the sea to rise no further than he said. I was there when he laid the earth's foundations. [30] I was beside him like an architect, I was his daily source of joy, always happy in his presence- [31] happy with the world and pleased with the human race. [32] "Now, young people, listen to me. Do as I say, and you will be happy. [33] Listen to what you are taught. Be wise; do not neglect it. [34] Those who listen to me will be happy- those who stay at my door every day, waiting at the entrance to my home. [35] Those who find me find life, and the LORD will be pleased with them. [36] Those who do not find me hurt themselves; anyone who hates me loves death."